Stakeholders call for tougher action against fake agricultural inputs
Stakeholders called for stronger market surveillance, stricter enforcement of existing laws and wider awareness campaigns to curb counterfeit agricultural inputs, which threaten crop productivity, farmers' livelihoods and national food security.
The call came at a roundtable titled "Say No to Counterfeit and Fake Agricultural Inputs", jointly organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) and Syngenta Bangladesh Limited at the Jashore Zila Porishod Auditorium, according to a press release. The invite was extended to stakeholders concerned about counterfeit agricultural inputs.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Jashore Zila Parishod Chairman Delwar Hossain Khan Khokon described counterfeit agricultural inputs as a major threat to agriculture and food security.
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He stressed stronger enforcement against those who produce and market fake fertilisers and pesticides to protect farmers from financial losses.
In his welcome remarks, Syngenta Bangladesh Limited Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Mohammed Shahidul Islam said counterfeit agricultural inputs could not be eliminated through enforcement alone.
He called for a collective movement involving the government, NGOs, development partners, industry representatives and citizens.
Professor Abu Noman Faruk Ahmed of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University delivered the keynote presentation.
He highlighted the growing misuse of fake agricultural product registration numbers, the sale of unregistered products and illegal online sales.
He also stressed the need for stronger coordination among government agencies, law enforcement authorities and the private sector.
Participants called for stronger enforcement of the Pesticide Act 2018, enhanced market surveillance, improved training for retailers, dealers and other stakeholders and broader public awareness to prevent counterfeit agricultural inputs from reaching farmers.
Panellists included representatives from the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Bangladesh Police, the Jashore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Department of Agricultural Marketing, and the Jashore Press Club.
Farmers, retailers, print and electronic media journalists, and other agricultural stakeholders also participated in the discussion.
