Recognition of Nat’l Farmers’ Day demanded

Mymensingh Correspondent :

An organisation named Senior Farmers’ Welfare Foundation (PKKF) has demanded state recognition of January 8 as National Farmers’ Day.

The demand was made at a press conference held on Thursday noon at the organisation’s own office in the Krishnapur area of Haluaghat, Mymensingh. The organisation has been observing the day for the 11th consecutive year to press home its demand for official recognition.

Speakers at the press conference included the organisation’s founder Md Khedmat Ali Master, Chairman Zainal Abedin Hirak, Vice Chairman Abdul Jabbar, National Farmers’ Day initiator Azgar Ali Rupak, Ibrahim Khalil, Vice President of Bangladesh Krishok Sontan Association, Lecturer Sukanta Sarkar, and former UP chairman Abdul Hai.

Addressing the press conference, Azgar Ali Rupak, initiator of National Farmers’ Day and Managing Director of the organisation, said Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country, with 80 percent of its people directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector, yet Bangladeshi farmers have still not received due social recognition.

He added that many developed countries observe National Farmers’ Day through state initiatives China on October 12, the United States on October 12, and neighbouring India on December 23 to honour their farmers.