Agriculture Ministry has formed a four-member investigation committee to probe into the suicide of a farmer in Rajshahi for not getting irrigation water.
The committee has already visited the spot in Rajshahi and started an investigation. The committee has been asked to submit a report within seven working days revealing the reasons for not getting irrigation water on time.
Agriculture Secretary Md. Sayedul Islam said, “As soon as we came to know about this news, we started investigating. I have talked to the concerned people including Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), Deputy Commissioner, Upazila Nirbahi Officer. We have formed an inquiry committee in a short time to identify the real culprits and the culprits behind the ‘Untimely supply of irrigation water and poisoning of the farmers’. Strict action will be taken against anyone found to be negligent in providing irrigation water.”
This was stated by the Agriculture Secretary at a meeting to review the progress of implementation of the Annual Development Program (ADP) in the conference room of the Ministry of Agriculture at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Regarding the import of onions, the Agriculture Secretary said, “We consider the protection of the interests of both the farmers and the consumers in allowing the import of onions. So far farmers are getting a good price for onion. On the other hand, the holy month of Ramadan is starting ahead. We are also considering not increasing the price of onion at this time. Therefore, for now, the Ministry of Agriculture has no plans to stop onion imports. However, we are closely monitoring the market, and steps will be taken to protect the interests of both farmers and consumers.”
The meeting was informed that the number of projects under the implementation of the Ministry of Agriculture in the current fiscal year 2021-22 is 77. The total allocation is Tk 3,124 crore. Implementation progress has been 40 percent till February last, which is 5 percent more than the national average progress. At this time the national average progress has been 35 percent.
