Speakers at a discussion on Wednesday recommended simplifying the existing rules on cooperatives societies to facilitate the marginalised farmers - involved with different such societies - for ensuring the country's food security.
They called upon the government to reduce harassment by the cooperatives officials while monitoring different farmers' societies (agriculture and fisheries).
The participants also urged the government to simplify registration process for the cooperatives societies along with their audit process by the government officials concerned.
They came up with the observations at a seminar - 'Food Security, Problems of Marginalised Farmers and the Importance of Co-operatives' - organised by the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) at Adbus Salam Hall at the National Press Club in the capital.
ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda presented the keynote paper. Bangladesh Economic Association President and eminent economist Dr Abul Barakat presided over the event.
Rashed Khan Menon MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Social Welfare and former minister, was the chief guest.
He suggested providing agriculture inputs to the marginalied farmers to produce more foods for ensuring the country's food security.
General Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh Ruhin Hossain Prince, and Professor of Law of Dhaka University Dr Sima Jaman were present, among others.
The country observed the 50th National Cooperatives Day on November 5 under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.
This year, the theme of the day is 'Philosophy of Bangabandhu, Development in Cooperatives'.
The cooperatives are playing an important role in women empowerment, rural poverty alleviation, employment generation, marketing commodities, and ensuring fair prices.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had recognised cooperatives as one of the best weapons for development. He had also dreamt of a pro-people cooperatives movement for improving fate of the poor and under-privileged people.
