Poli Rani Pramanik from Paba, Rajshahi
Under the slogan “From Field to Plate, Safe Food Is Everyone’s Right,” a campaign titled “From Village to City A Youth Movement for Safe Food from Farmers to Consumers” was held on Tuesday in Karigorpara, Bargachhi Union, Paba Upazila, Rajshahi.
The campaign was jointly organized by Green Coalition, Barind Youth Forum and BARCIK. Farmers, youth and local community members discussed safe food, agroecology, crop diversity, environmentally friendly farming and fair prices for farmers, consumer rights and sustainable food systems.
Mahmud Jamal Kaderi, president of Green Coalition Metropolitan, Paba Green Coalition member Raihan Ali Jewel, Barind Youth Forum General Secretary Poli Rani, Tamim Tuli and Joyeeta Award-winning farmer Bilkis Ara, among others, attended the programme.
Agroecological farmer Abdul Jabbar Khan said he grows papaya without harmful chemicals on 10 kathas of land, but receives no premium for his produce. He said, “There is no separate market for chemical-free crops. We need a market where farmers can receive a fair price for safe produce.”
Farmer Renuka Begum, who practises agroecology and runs a Shatabari, called for greater support for vermicompost production and marketing. She said, “The government and private sector should provide training and support for producing vermicompost and organic pest-control products instead of relying on harmful chemicals and pesticides.”
Md. Atikur Rahman, president of the Barind Youth Forum, said safe food should be treated as a basic right rather than simply a matter of consumer choice saying “Food safety must be ensured at every stage, from production to the consumer’s plate. In the Barind region, we need diverse, environmentally friendly farming based on local resources to address climate and water challenges.” He went on saying. “Young people should not remain only consumers; they should lead efforts to build a safe and sustainable food system. Direct links between farmers and consumers can be a powerful force for change.”
Mosa. Rahima Begum, president of Paba Upazila Green Coalition and a Joyeeta Award-winning farmer, highlighted women’s contribution to agriculture saying “Women have historically played an important role in vegetable cultivation and seed conservation. Their contributions must be recognised, and women must have a stronger voice in decision-making.”
The organizers said ensuring safe food is a shared responsibility involving production, storage, transportation, marketing and consumption. Excessive use of harmful chemicals, soil and water pollution, and weaknesses in food storage and markets remain major challenges. The campaign also highlighted the need to strengthen direct links between farmers and consumers, promote local food systems and protect consumer rights.
The organizers expressed hope that youth-led initiatives will strengthen the safe food movement at the local level and help build a fair, transparent and environmentally responsible food system from farmers to consumers.