Farmers Missing from the Reform Discourse: A Neglected Reality
Mysha Siddika
In our country, whenever the word “reform” is uttered, it brings along a wave of optimistic plans, lengthy seminars, and intense discussions among urban intellectuals. Yet, at the heart of these conversations, we rarely, if ever, hear the voice of the person who toils under the sun from dawn to dusk to put food on our plates—the farmer.
Despite the fact that Bangladesh's economy heavily relies on agriculture, farmers have long remained on the margins of state policy. They are seen merely as recipients of policy, not as its creators or advisors. To this day, how many reform dialogues have truly included the voices of actual farmers? In how many meetings have their lived experiences and needs been prioritized?
The reality is stark—almost every agricultural reform proposal is formulated at the center, based on bureaucratic theories that often fail to reflect the ground reality. When these proposals are implemented in the field, they seldom align with the actual problems faced by farmers. Even today, farmers are deprived of fair prices for their produce. It is not uncommon to see vegetables dumped on roadsides because they can’t be sold at just value. Meanwhile, there is no effective market regulation, and the profits are mostly reaped by middlemen and syndicates, leaving the farmers at a loss.
When natural disasters strike, many farmers—unable to repay their bank loans—are forced to sell off their homes, or in tragic cases, take their own lives. The state responds with sympathetic words, but not with structural solutions.
If we truly seek sustainable development, we must adopt a farmer-centric approach. No agricultural policy or reform should proceed without the active participation of farmers. It is essential to ensure their voices are heard at the local level, to establish fair systems for marketing agricultural goods, to increase access to modern farming technology, and to guarantee emergency assistance during natural calamities.
Let the light of reform reach the fields as well. Because without the voice of the farmer, the story of our nation’s development will forever remain incomplete.
The writer is a student of the department of Public Administration,University of Dhaka, he can be reached at Email: myshasiddika2929@gmail.com
