RANGPUR, Feb 23, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a convention here today placed 19-point reform proposals, including ensuring profitable prices for farmers' crops, to uphold the interests of common farmers of the country.
 
Their other proposals include reducing prices of all agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides; ensuring year-round work for farm laborers; and rehabilitating the landless poor population.
 
Bangladesh Peasants' and Farm Workers' Organisation (BPFWO) organised the event.
 
The organization's central convener Comrade Ahsanul Arefin Titu presided over the convention held at the Town Hall auditorium in the city while its General Secretary Ajit Das moderated the event.
 
Language movement veteran Mohammad Afzal, Coordinator of the Central Executive Forum of the BSD (Marxist) Comrade Masud Rana, Dhaka University teacher Moshahida Sultana Rwitu, General Secretary of Bangladesh Nari Mukti Kendra Advocate Nilufar Yasmin Shilpi, Rangpur District Convener of BPFWO Anwar Hossain Bablu, its Gaibandha district President Ahsanul Habib Sayeed, Kishoreganj district organizer Alal Mia, Nilphamari district leader Rafiqul Islam, Mymensingh district organizer Abdur Razzaque, potato farmer Saiful Islam, sugarcane farmer Rabiul Islam, and other farmers' leaders from all over the country addressed the event.
 
Comrade Ahsanul Arefin Titu in his welcome address said the 2024 mass uprising has ignited hope for building a democratic and discrimination-free Bangladesh, paid for with the sacrifices and blood of thousands of students, including Shaheed Abu Sayeed of Rangpur. 

"It is not possible to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh without realizing the hopes and aspirations of the most exploited and discriminated farmers and agricultural laborers across the country," he said.
The interim government must immediately take initiatives to reform the agricultural sector to complement the interests of farmers based on the opinions of everyone related to agriculture.
Anwar Hossain Bablu said, in the agricultural sector, some domestic and foreign businessmen and company syndicates and middlemen traders control the agricultural input and crop markets.
 
All post-independence governments have made various regulations related to agriculture in the interests of these capitalist groups.
 
"As a result, the majority of farmers, farm-laborers and landless people have always been exploited and deprived. There is no alternative to building a strong organization and movement to achieve the rights of farmers and farm laborers," he said.
 
Leaders of the organisation in the convention announced the building of strong farmers' and farm-laborers' organizations and movements across the country based on their 19-point demand proposals.