RANGPUR: Agriculture experts at a workshop on Sunday laid emphasis on strengthening organisations of the small and marginal farmers to create participatory marketing facilities for ensuring fair price of agri-products, reports BSS.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) with RDRS Bangladesh organised the workshop on ‘Problems and Prospects of Marketing Agricultural Products’ at Baura Union Federation under Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat, a press release said here today.

The members of Baura Union Federation Farmers’ Forum (BUFFF), fertiliser and maize traders, DAE officials, representatives of Monsanto India Ltd, Three S Agro Services Ltd, National Agri-care Ltd, Rajib Agrochemicals Ltd and Ispahani Ltd, took part in the worksh.

Patgram Upazila Agriculture Officer of the DAE Agriculturist Md Nur Alam attended the event as chief guest with Chairman of Baura Union Federation Jahir Uddin in the chair.

Sub-assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO) of the DAE Jalal Uddin and Mostafizur

Rahman, Vice-president of Lalmonirhat District Crop Protection Association Masud Rana addressed as special guests.

Agriculture Officer of RDRS Bangladesh Mozidul Islam in his welcome speech narrated the prevailing problems in marketing of local agri-products, suggested the way-outs and discussed the prospects in the rural agriculture sector.

Representatives of agri-input supplier companies said they could supply seed, fertilisers, pesticides and other agri-inputs to the farmers at wholesale price if the farmers would purchase those group-wise through their organisations.

SAAO Jalal Uddin suggested for creating adequate marketing scopes of all agri-products, including maize, through joint collaboration of agri-input suppliers and local farmers’ organisations to ease the marketing process and ensure fair price.