Call agriculture national profession: Krishak Oikya Foundation

Bangladesh Krishak Oikya Foundation presents its budget proposals at the National Press Club on Thursday 21 May 2026.

 GreenWatch Desk

Bangladesh Krishak Oikya Foundation on Thursday demanded declaration of agriculture as the national profession, and support farmers to achieve environment-friendly sustainable development.

Presenting its budget proposals at the National Press Club.

A 20-point charter of demands the foundation outlined contains call for empowering farmers to increase production while taking care of the environment and market their produce at fair prices.

Kamal Hossain who read out the foundation's budget proposals said they want to see agriculture at the number one sector of allocation in the government’s annual financial statement.

The proposal stands for increase of subsidy to agriculture and its proper implementation, non-convertion of agricultural land to other uses, turning fellow lands into agricultural land and handing their ownership to landless farmers.

Oher demands are the setting up of a full-fledged seeds production, distribution and conservation directorate, compost fertilizer production units at all unions and interest-free loans to entrepreneurs set those up; modernisation of river routes to facilitate transport of agricultural products.

Arrange production of natural pesticides as per recommdations of environmentalists and agriculturists, surface water irrigation from rivers, canal and ponds instead of ground water.

Training and intrest-free loan marginal farmers, introduction of  insurance in agriculture, fishery, poultry, livestock, honeybee and mushrooms to cushion farmers against losses. 

Th foundation called for the promotion of halal agriculture, declaration of agriculture as a national profession, support to farmers' education, implements, Tk 10,000 festival allowance, Taka 10,000 old age allowance per month to them.

It demanded the setting up of auto rice mills at each upazila, a commission to determine prices of agricultural produce; govt purchase centre at all unions to ensure fair price. 

Other demands include the setting up of cold storages at all upazilas to conserve perishable crops, modern seedlings plantation machine, support entrepreneurs to produce vermicompost.

Shahabuddin Farazi, president of the foundation said all of their members are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. We have created entrepreneurs to produce copost fertilizer. Farmers are not getting the incentives given to benefit them, those go to people favored by leaders who distribute those. We want the government to ensure the incentive reaches farmers, he said. 

He said agricultirists are not beggers they are owners. Give them green fertilizer subsidy. We want to cooperate with the government. We are and want to remain nonpolitical. We produce, we want our just rights he said demanding empowerment of farmers for their economic emancipation.

A number of participants including Kamrul Islam, Syed Ismail Hossain and Zahid took part in the programme advocating for smart agriculture, online database of farmers and compensation to farmer accident victims. Mostafa Kamal Majumder,  Editor, GreenWatch Dhaka addressed discussion as the special guest.

The discussion session was followed by the staging of a human chain in front of the National Press Club in support of the demands,