The Daily Star reports that Mr Muhith spoke at an event, “Agriculture budget, budget for the farmers”, organised by private television station Channel i, as part of its programme Hridoye Mati O Manush.

The event took place at Kodalia Government Primary School in Fulpur upazila of Mymensingh. About 4,000 farmers were present at the pre-budget discussion.

Shykh Seraj, head of news of Channel i, moderated the programme that continued from 7.30pm to 10pm.

The farmers who came from Mymensingh and adjoining districts voiced their expectations and demands before the minister. They also pointed at the existing problems and crises facing the agriculture sector.

The farmers spoke about the gap between the cost of production and market prices of paddy. If the situation continues, the farmers will be compelled to move away from rice farming, they said.

The government has failed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power for irrigation at night, they said.

In addition, many farmers from parts of Mymensingh complained that they have been cheated by different companies that provide hybrid seeds.
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The farmers said the government is subsidising agricultural inputs but the non-farm sectors are enjoying the benefit.

Women farmers demanded special allocations in the budget for preparing organic fertilisers and producing high-quality seeds.

Other demands

• Setting up cold stores in different regions on a priority basis;
• Withdrawing 5 per cent tax on fish farming;
• Compensating the affected poultry farmers;
• Allocation for setting up a modern laboratory to test for avian influenza and produce bird flu vaccines;
• Stopping the import of eggs from India;
• Introducing technical diploma course for the fisheries sector with government initiative.

Mr Seraj said this is the third time that the finance minister has attended the programme. It was an example of a farmer's voice reaching directly out to the policy planning level, he added.

Hayatur Rahman Belal, local lawmaker, Lokman Hossain Miah, deputy commissioner, Aminul Karim, a member of National Board of Revenue, and Ranjit Kumar, additional secretary of the finance ministry, were also present.