While concerns over food adulteration and safe food are growing in urban life, the daily diet of many people in rural Bengal still features fresh, homegrown vegetables, pure milk, and various homemade foods.
These agricultural products, grown on their own land, not only meet the nutritional demands of families but have also become a major source of income for farmers.
Farmer Ashraf Ali from Noyapara village in Mymensingh's Haluaghat Upazila stated that many rural farmers still cultivate various types of vegetables on their own land. Alongside meeting family demand, they earn their livelihood by selling these vegetables in local markets.
According to farmer Jabbar Mia, vegetables produced in their own fields play an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of rural people. However, farmers often do not receive fair prices for their products compared to their production costs and hard work.
Yet, the exact same types of vegetables are seen being sold at comparatively higher prices in various urban shops and supermarkets. This brings the issues of fair income for farmers and consumers getting safe food at affordable prices back into discussion.
Another vital part of rural Bengal's food culture is pure cow's milk. Fresh milk produced in rural households plays a role in meeting the nutritional needs of local people. On the other hand, packaged milk also has a demand in urban markets. However, the nutritional quality and safety of milk depend on its quality, processing, and preservation. Therefore, rather than considering only one type whether packaged or loose ensuring the purity and safety of milk is what is truly important.
If arrangements to deliver locally produced vegetables and other agricultural products directly to consumers are strengthened, farmers can receive fair prices. At the same time, consumers will also have the opportunity to buy fresh agricultural products at relatively affordable prices.
Properly valuing these foods produced through the sweat and toil of rural farmers, ensuring safe food, and increasing direct connections between farmers and consumers are the demands of the time. This is because safe and nutritious food is not just the right of city dwellers, but a fundamental necessity for every human being.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Nabila Afrin, Haluaghat correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
