Marketing system needs reform for farmers’ wellbeing: Experts
They said the distribution system must be ensured up to the grassroots level during the coronavirus situation
Farmers of the country cannot be benefited under the conventional agricultural marketing system here, according to experts.
It is necessary to devise innovative strategies and implement a fair distribution policy alongside online marketing for the wellbeing of farmers, they said.
Speakers said this at a virtual seminar styled "Digital marketing under pandemic situation: Present and aftermath" organised by Dhaka School of Economics (DScE), a constituent institution of Dhaka University, on Saturday.
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Professors and educationists from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Thailand, India, Australia, and Bangladesh, addressed the online seminar, which was held in three sessions.
Besides, chief executives of different corporate sectors and entrepreneurs also spoke at the webinar. Around 70 experts and students from six countries took part in the event.
Professor Dr Muhammad Mahboob Ali, progremme coordinator of the entrepreneurship economics department of the DScE presided over the programme, while Chairman of the DScE Governing Council and Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad was present as the session chair.
Dr Kholiquzzaman said the distribution system must be ensured up to the grassroots level during the coronavirus situation. New strategies have to be adapted to reach products and benefits there, he added.
Dr Muhammad Mahboob Ali pointed out that restrictions on sacrificing animals at homesteads and slum areas during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha might affect the demand for sacrificial animals, causing farmers to face losses.
He, therefore, stressed bringing changes to the management system alongside reforming the marketing and distribution to ensure benefit for cattle farmers during the current pandemic situation.
Dr Vichayanan Rattanawiboonsom, dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Communications at Naresuan University of Thailand, attended a technical session of the webinar as the chief guest.
Besides, Professor Dr Kripa Shankar Gupta, director of KSG Centre for Quality Minds, and Taslim Ahmed, distribution and management strategist based in Canada, presented papers in the session.
Among others, Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, professor at the BIBM and former managing director of Pubali Bank; Md Zahir Uddin Arif, professor of marketing department at Jagannath University; Dr Md Sabur Khan, chairman of Daffodil Group; and Anis A Khan, former managing director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank participated in the webinar. Rehana Parvin and Sara Tasneem, assistant professors of the entrepreneurship economics department at the DScE gave the welcome speeches at different sessions and moderated the virtual seminar.
