The Dhaka district administration has announced the launch of the fair-price market initiative, titled "Janatar Bazar," aimed at providing daily necessities at affordable rates. This initiative is part of broader efforts to control the rise of prices for essentials and offer relief to the public amid increasing costs.
Scheduled to commence operations in February 2023, the first market will be set up in Mohammadpur, with plans to open five more locations throughout Dhaka later. This initiative was unveiled on January 4, during a view-exchange meeting held in Mohammadpur Beribadh area, as reported by the Dhaka district administration.
Deputy Commissioner Tanvir Ahmed emphasized the project's primary goal is to create direct connections between farmers and consumers, eliminating middlemen to stabilize product prices. "Our goal is to establish a direct relationship between farmers and consumers..." he stated. This initiative is particularly timely, as it offers daily essentials like fish, meat, milk, eggs, and vegetables at fixed pricing set by the district administration.
Special provisions will be made available during Ramadan, and the administration plans to develop software to manage market records and showcase real-time stock and pricing information. “Products will be transported directly from regions where prices are lower, ensuring quality control and cost-efficiency,” added Tanvir, underlining the commitment to keeping prices reasonable.
The identified locations for the new markets have been carefully chosen, which include spots near ULAB University in Mohammadpur, the Golartek field in Mirpur, Kunraghat Medical intersection at Kamrangirchar, and places close to the Satarkul Boro Beraid Bazar Graveyard, Gulshan Dhelna Mosque field, and Sarulia Bazar at Demra.
This initiative will also involve local entrepreneurs, students, and unemployed youths who will help construct the necessary infrastructure on government land. Their engagement is expected to not only assist with management but also promote community cohesion and responsibility.
During the meeting, local residents expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, believing it will significantly help low-income families significantly. They underlined the importance of effective crowd control and security measures as pivotal for sustainable operation and success.
Tanvir also reached out to community leaders and school representatives for collaboration, stating, "Your advice and active participation are..." he believes these efforts are central to ensuring the smooth implementation of this initiative.
Adding to the conversation about fair pricing initiatives, the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has also announced plans to provide eggs and chicken at reduced prices starting January 12, 2023, across 20 locations in Dhaka. This initiative aims to stabilize prices right before Ramadan, reflecting significant overlap with the goals of the Janatar Bazar initiative.
BPA President Sumon Hawlader unveiled the plans during a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, stating, "We will gradually expand this initiative to 100 locations, offering eggs, frozen chicken, and other agricultural products at limited profits." This expansion aligns with the goal of promoting accessibility to affordable food products.
During the discussion, Sumon expressed concerns over the corporate sector’s grip on the poultry market, which he argues limits fair competition for smaller farmers. "Corporate companies are controlling the market by producing feed, chicks, eggs, and chicken. This prevents marginal farmers from competing fairly," he remarked, highlighting significant challenges posed by market syndicates.
Sumon articulated the importance of dismantling these syndicates to alleviate the unreasonable price hikes inflicted on farmers and emphasized the need for affordable feed and chick provisions. "The unreasonable price hike caused by feed and chick syndicates is..." he reiterated, pointing out the difficulties it causes for farmers trying to meet production costs.
To bolster these efforts, the BPA has presented the government with a 10-point charter, demanding the establishment of fair market systems and highlighting the need for loans and subsidy schemes aimed at empowering domestic poultry farmers. Sumon elaborated, stating these measures would not only enable farmers to boost production but also encourage growth within the domestic market.
The initiatives laid out by both the Dhaka district administration and the BPA signal encouraging moves toward addressing the affordability issue surrounding every family's daily necessities. Joint efforts are necessitated, involving community and stakeholders, to realize the objectives of fostering both food security and economic stability within Dhaka's changing marketplace.