In Nachole and Gomostapur upazilas of Chapainawabganj district, renowned as one of the country's major food grain producing regions, an abandoned government food warehouse has become a long-standing source of suffering for farmers. This warehouse, which has been closed for nearly two decades, once played a crucial role in storing various food grains, including paddy and rice produced by local farmers, and in government food procurement activities. However, following a tragic robbery incident, the warehouse's operations completely ceased, depriving thousands of farmers of fair prices for their produce, which is profoundly negatively impacting their livelihoods.
This large government food warehouse was constructed on approximately three acres of land in Deopura, Parbatipur Union, Gomostapur Upazila, during the tenure of then-President General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Its construction was completed with the aim of facilitating farmers and streamlining the government's food procurement process. Modern residential buildings for officials were also built adjacent to the warehouse, transforming the facility into a comprehensive food management center. At one point, all activities related to food grain collection, storage, and distribution in the area revolved around this warehouse, which added a new dimension to the local agricultural economy.
However, nearly two decades ago, a daring robbery occurred at the Deopura food warehouse under the cover of night. Robbers looted a large quantity of food grains stored in the warehouse. Following this incident, questions arose about the warehouse's security, and its operations were completely halted by order of the higher authorities. Since then, almost 20 long years have passed. Throughout this extended period, this essential government infrastructure for farmers has not been reopened even once. As a result, this vast asset, built at a cost of crores of Taka, is now deteriorating due to neglect, which is not only a waste of resources but also a significant loss for the farmers of the area.
The words of local resident Radha Kanta paint a picture of the farmers' daily struggles. He states that farmers in the Barind region produce large quantities of paddy and various other food grains in at least two seasons annually. They invest significant money, physical labor, and valuable time to cultivate these crops. However, due to the prolonged closure of the Deopura food warehouse, they are deprived of the opportunity to sell their produce through government channels. Lacking this option, farmers often find themselves at the mercy of middlemen and local traders, forced to sell their hard-earned crops at low prices.
Radha Kanta further noted that if the warehouse were operational, farmers would have the opportunity to sell their produce directly to the government, ensuring fair prices. In the current situation, with the warehouse closed, many farmers are forced to sell their crops at prices much lower than the market rate. As a result, on one hand, farmers are being deprived of their rightful earnings, and on the other, they are suffering severe financial losses due to the mismatch between production costs and selling prices. Many, like farmer Jahangir Alam, report that being compelled to sell crops at low prices is not improving their quality of life; instead, they are not even recovering their production costs, which has left them distraught.
There is a strong demand for the swift reopening of the warehouse to foster regional development and save the farmers. Farmer Jahangir Alam stated that this important warehouse should be reopened, even if it requires deploying law enforcement personnel. Moniruzzaman Monir, Member Secretary of the Chapainawabganj District Citizens' Committee, echoed this demand. He noted that the law and order situation in the district has significantly improved compared to the past, so there should no longer be any major obstacles to reopening the Deopura food warehouse, which has been closed for a long time due to security concerns.
Moniruzzaman Monir further added that if the food warehouse is reopened promptly after necessary renovations and ensuring modern security systems, local farmers will have the opportunity to sell their produce through government channels. This will not only ensure fair prices for farmers but also vitalize the local agricultural economy and accelerate the overall development of the area. Therefore, taking immediate initiative to reopen the Deopura food warehouse is crucial for the farmers' benefit. Mohon Ahmed, Chapainawabganj District Food Controller, after an on-site inspection, stated that although the Deopura food warehouse is abandoned, it can be reopened with minor renovations and necessary repairs.
District Food Controller Mohon Ahmed further confirmed that higher officials have already been informed about the reopening of the warehouse, and efforts will be made to reopen it quickly by taking the necessary initiatives. According to ANM Wasim Firoz, Additional Superintendent of Police, Chapainawabganj, the law and order situation is currently under control, creating a favorable environment for the warehouse's reopening. It is hoped that if these coordinated initiatives are implemented, the Deopura food warehouse will become operational again, overcoming a two-decade-long stalemate, bringing smiles to the faces of Chapainawabganj's farmers, and playing a significant role in the overall economic development of the area.
