Lack of transparency in free fertilizer and seed distribution, questions about the list of 7,060 farmers?

In Lohagara, Narail, the program of distributing fertilizer and seed as an incentive for small and marginal farmers in the Rabi season has started in the current fiscal year. Through this initiative, free fertilizer and seeds are being provided to farmers for wheat, mustard, sunflower, peanut, winter onion, lentils, khesari and arhar cultivation. According to the plan, the target of crop production has been set on wheat 550 bighas, mustard 4400 bighas, sunflower 170 bighas, peanut 100 bighas, onion 80 bighas, lentils 1,270 bighas, khesari 460 bighas and arhar 30 bighas. Although a list of 7,060 farmers has been prepared for this purpose, there have been allegations of irregularities in the list. Many marginal farmers are claiming that they did not get their names on the list despite applying, while the names of people who do not have agricultural land have been included.

When local journalists went to the Upazila Agriculture Officer's office on November 2 to verify the authenticity of the list, the acting Upazila Agriculture Officer Sheikh Salman Zaman refused to show the list and instructed them to make a written application to the Upazila Executive Officer to get the information. Then, when journalist Kazi Ashraf applied under the Right to Information Act, although he was initially promised, he was told on November 5 that the complete information could not be provided yet and that it would take another week for partial information.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Sheikh Salman Zaman said, "Discussions have been held with senior officials. The list of names, excluding the mobile numbers of the farmers, will be provided next week." Journalist Kazi Ashraf said that although the government's free fertilizer and seed distribution project is a groundbreaking initiative for farmers, it is very important to disclose the information to ensure that genuine farmers are not deprived. This incident has angered local farmers. They believe that if such initiatives are implemented without transparency, genuine marginal farmers will be deprived and the main purpose of the incentive will be undermined.