The government’s decision to waive agricultural loans has brought relief to farmers, but how long that relief will last remains to be seen, said Nasiruddin Patwary, senior joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP).

He made the remarks in a Facebook post on Thursday (October 29).

Patwary said the government had waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for small-scale farmers. According to government figures, approximately 1.434 million farmers have benefited from the initiative.

“On the face of it, this is good news for farmers. However, the question is how long the relief will last. If the government waives a farmer’s Tk 10,000 loan only to send them back into the same system that forces them to borrow again, what is the benefit? The loan has been waived, but who will address the reasons behind the debt?” he said.

He also raised concerns about the appointment of fertilizer dealers. In Lakshmipur, at least 45 of the 57 selected dealers are reportedly leaders or activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations. Allegations have also surfaced of financial transactions worth more than Tk 10 million surrounding dealer appointments in Pirgachha.

“Having a political affiliation does not automatically make someone unqualified. But if allegations that dealership positions are being bought and sold for lakhs of taka are true, a simple question arises: Will a dealer who spends so much money to secure the position serve farmers at their own expense, or try to recover that money by charging more for bags of fertilizer? The government is subsidizing farmers, but could that subsidy end up being divided among intermediaries?” Patwary asked.

The NCP leader also highlighted the disparity between farm-gate prices and retail prices, citing the example of bottle gourds produced in Panchagarh.

“A bottle gourd that costs Tk 2–3 at the farm in Panchagarh sells for Tk 50–60 in Dhaka. Its price increases twentyfold by the time it reaches the capital. The vegetable’s value seems to be improving, but the farmer’s fortunes are not,” he said.

Acknowledging transportation costs and workers’ wages, Patwary questioned the role of alleged extortion along transport routes and market syndicates in driving up prices.

“Farmers lose out when they sell, and consumers lose out when they buy. So what kind of business are those in the middle actually conducting?” he asked.

Patwary said the loan waiver could produce positive results, but its impact would remain limited unless irregularities in fertilizer dealership appointments, the sale of fertilizer at inflated prices, extortion along transport routes and abnormal market price increases were addressed.

He stressed the need for transparent dealer appointments, fair prices for farmers and systems that allow agricultural producers to market their goods directly.

“The government has waived Tk 10,000 in loans, and that is good. But do not keep farmers trapped in a system that creates the need to waive another Tk 10,000 next year. Free farmers from losses as well as debt. A bottle gourd that costs Tk 2 at the farm may sell for Tk 60 to consumers, but at least explain to the public where the remaining Tk 58 goes,” he said.