DHAKA: The government plans to set up an agro-processing economic zone in Natore to ensure fair prices for farmers and encourage cultivation of food items that are free from pesticides and chemicals, officials said.
The Asian Development Bank has expressed interest to help Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) establish the zone in the northern district. The ADB may also lend to industries that will set up factories in the zone, an official of BEZA said.
In recent years, northern Bang-ladesh has become a major hub for producing vegetables, spices and cereals. But farmers often do not get fair prices because they are unable to sell their produce directly to retail customers or chain superstores that offer better prices than the wholesalers.
The use of toxic chemicals and pesticides is widespread along the entire food supply chain, starting from production to arrival at the stores and markets – an issue that has created health concerns in Bangladesh.
According to the plan, factories inside the zone will do contract farming in Natore and neighbouring districts.
The factories will start with vegetables, fruits and spices; cereals will later be added to the list, said the BEZA official, asking not to be named.
Farmers will produce crops in their fields while the food items will be processed inside the zone.
The official said if the plan goes ahead, it will be a good job as unadulterated food items will be supplied to the capital and other parts of the country; food items will also be exported from there.
It would be a win-win situation for all stakeholders such as farmers, retailers and consumers, the official added. “Farmers will also get credit support.”
The economic zone is part of the government’s efforts to establish 100 economic zones in the country in the next 15 years.
The BEZA has approved proposals for 22 economic zones and eight sites have been primarily selected to set up the parks.
Exports will grow by $40 billion a year and one crore jobs will be created if 70,000-75,000 acres of land can be allocated to the economic zones, according to an estimate by BEZA.
