Farmers rally in Kalapara demanding fair price of paddy

Farmers rally in Kalapara demanding fair price of paddy on Monday 27 April 2026.

Kalapara (Patuakhali): A rally and protest march was held with the participation of farmers in Kalapara, Patuakhali, demanding fair and profitable price of paddy, breaking the existing syndicate in the market and establishing farmers' rights.

The program was organized by the Bangladesh Krishak Samity Kalapara Upazila branch at Pakhimara Bazar area of Nilganj Union of the upazila at 10 am on Monday (April 27).

The rally was presided over by GM Mahbub, President of Bangladesh Krishak Samity Kalapara Upazila branch, and was attended by local farmers and leaders and activists from various levels of the organization. The organization's Publicity and Publication Secretary Naynabhiram Gain (Nayan), Joint Convener of Nilganj Union Ward No. 3 Branch Abdul Haque Gazi and member Altaf Gazi, among others, spoke.

The speakers complained that under the current market system, farmers spend about 30 to 32 taka to produce one kg of paddy, but due to the brokers and middlemen syndicates, they are forced to sell that paddy for 16 to 18 taka. This is severely affecting the farmers.

They also said that harvester owners are charging extra money due to the oil crisis. Farmers now have to pay 16 to 18 thousand taka to harvest, 1.5 acres of paddy, which is about 6 thousand taka more than last year. As a result, the cost of production has increased and the farmers are under severe financial pressure.

The farmer leaders urged the government to ensure direct purchase of paddy from farmers and break the paddy traders' syndicate. They also demanded the establishment of government procurement centers at the union level. In addition, the lease system of canals and sluice gates was canceled and emphasis was placed on proper management of waterlogging and irrigation systems.

After the rally, the farmers took out a protest march. The procession circled around Pakhimara Bazar on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway and ended at the same place. - Gofran Palash