I am Md. Abul Hasan, a young farmer and President of the National Jubo Krishak Maitree in Sathkhira, Bangladesh.
Entering agriculture was very difficult for me as my father has no agricultural land. No one was willing to share or lease their land to me due to my lack of experience. I found it difficult to find interest-free bank loans. The cost of production is high while the price of the product is low. Due to the climate, agricultural land is declining day by day. Modern technology is not readily available and there is a lack of proper irrigation. Due to COVID-19, the price of the crop is low, and many crops could not be sold. In addition to all these issues, we young farmers get very little respect for what we do.
The government should offer opportunities by providing lands to young farmers to cultivate unconditionally. There should be a system or policy for interest-free loans for farmers, legal offices or departments should be created to aid farmers in need of legal advice, and every farmer should be covered by agricultural insurance. Young farmers’ rights should be respected and the importance of the role of farmers should be acknowledged.
We want to bring all the young farmers in the country under the umbrella of the National Jubo Krishak Maitree. Through our young farmers, we want to transform agriculture into a modern one, strengthen family farming, and produce safe food. I also aspire to form a Young Farmers’ Cooperative Society in every region of Bangladesh by 2025.
Md. Abul Hasan
Bangladesh
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