BKF office secretary MOHIN passed away

​Mohiuddin Hawladar Mohin died of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection on April 23, 2021, at 9 pm at the age of 40. He was treated at a private hospital in Dhaka for about two weeks before his death. He is survived by his wife and a four-year-old daughter. 

​Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF) acting president Tahmina Akter Mina and general secretary Pathak Lal Golder, Bangladesh Kishani Sabha (BKS) president Asma Begum and Bangladesh Adivasi Samity (BAS) president Bishwanath Singh expressed deep grief in a joint statement over Mohin's death and condolences to the bereaved family.

​In the statement, the leaders said Mohin had been involved in the BKF's movement for nearly two and a half decades. His death is a great loss in the struggle for the rights of the poor people of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi rural peasants, women and indigenous farmers were in an action in northern Bangladesh against the Virus of Capitalism and Patriarchy on 25 November 2020. The farmer's action was the part of La Via Campesina's global action initiative. Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF), Bangladesh Kishani Sabha (BKS) and Bangladesh Adivashi Samity (BAS) jointly organised the farmer's action in Rongpur.
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BKS president Asma Begum and BAS president Biswanath Sing led the action as central leader, while Rongpur district BKF president Abul Hussain, general secretary Sabuj Chandra Barmon and BAS Rongpur district president Bindu Pahari were present as a local leader.
 
In the program leaders talked about the relation between food sovereignty and climate change. They also talked against capitalism and patriarchy. They are committed to continuing the campaign for the rights of the peasants and action against capitalism and patriarchy.

​Bangladeshi farmers got a new evil now to fight on and that is GMO Golden Rice. Bangladesh agriculture ministry recently declared that Golden Rice will be released commercially soon to the farmers. Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF) and Bangladesh Kishani Sabha are very concern of government move to release Golden Rice commercially in farmer's level.
Farmers protest took place in southern divisional city of Barisal jointly organised by BKF and BKS on 27 February 2019 against commercial release of Golden Rice in Bangladesh. The protest led by the BKF join secretary Harun Vandari and BKS vice president Rehana Begum Mitu. In the protest, BKF and BKS leaders strongly criticised the government move to release Golden Rice and demanded to change the government decision and Stop Golden Rice commercial release now.

​GMO Golden Rice will destroy hundreds of rice verities in Bangladesh and other countries. Golder Rice is a trap for farmers. In the beginning, the farmer can get the free Golden Rice seeds for cultivation. But when farmers will fall in the trap of Golden Rice, the seed price will be very high. Exactly like BT-Bringal (Eggplant). In the beginning, the BT-Bringal seeds were free, then minimum price and now many times expensive than the local Bringal seeds, said farmers leaders in the protest.
BKF and BKS leaders said that GMO Golden Rice also will destroy our soil and biodiversity. Farther more, we don't need beta carotene from the Golden Rice. Our sweet potato contains 48 times more beta carotene than the Golden Rice, Carrots contains 35 times more beta carotene than the Golden Rice and Pumpkin contains 13 times more beta carotene than the Golden Rice. Farmers are growing those vegetables across Bangladesh and it is very cheap that even extremely poor communities can afford it. Therefore, Golden Rice beta carotene propaganda of TNCs is a trap to capture the seed markets in Bangladesh and elsewhere. BKF and BKS leaders urged to the farmer organisations in Bangladesh and across the globe to build a strong campaign against GMO Golden Rice.