Consumers now victims of syndicated market system, Says Prof Muzaffer Ahmad

Consumers have become the victims of syndicated market system, as the government could not develop an alternative market, said noted economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad at a dialogue yesterday.

“We got stuck in production for export and market-oriented economy ignoring the needs of consumers and farmers,” he added.

The citizens' dialogue on 'Genetic engineering and golden rice: Threats and prospects for Bangladesh' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Shikkha Swastha Unnayan Karjakram (Shishuk) at the National Press Club in the city.

It was organised under the 'Save Our Rice Campaign' in collaboration with Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific and Year of Rice Action.

Stating that commercial agriculture production today controls the market and price, Prof Ahmad, who is also Bapa president, said, “As a consumer, I have no alternative to consuming the rice variety that I actually do not like.”

Big agro companies have already come to play in the wake of a situation when the country requires more production to feed its growing population, but its consequences are rarely analysed, he said.

“Production has increased, but many indigenous crop varieties have been lost. There is also no documentation of changes in the agro-ecology and there is no agriculture planning in the country,” said Prof Ahmed.

It is now important to prepare a balance sheet of what the country gained and lost in terms of agriculture, he said.

“If our gross national happiness is not satisfactory, then what is the benefit of high yielding rice,” he put a question, adding that the authorities should initiate restoration of indigenous crop varieties and ensure sovereignty of the farmers, consumers and ecology-friendly farming.

Bangladesh has both the problems of vitamin deficiency and food shortage that requires more food production, said Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir.

But it does not mean that genetically modified food should be taken simply for granted, she added.

Khushi Kabir said there are many high yielding vegetables, but nobody knows the consequences they may cause.

“We need to understand the food technologies before we accept them,” she added.

Dr Michael K Hansen, senior staff scientist of US-based Consumers Union, in a presentation said golden rice, a genetically engineered rice of high yielding variety, has serious vitamin A deficiency which could be life-threatening.

A country may accept such crops, but it must have appropriate bio-safety law in line with Codex Alimentarius (guideline on food safety) Commission of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Shishuk Executive Director Sakiul Millat Morshed said he has learned that Bangladesh is preparing a draft policy on genetically engineered food, but it has not been made public.

“Such a policy must be very comprehensive and flawless,” he added.

Savoury delicacies of old Dhaka

Although the quality is going down every day, the once famous delicacies of old Dhaka still today attract the food connoisseurs and gluttons.

Biriyani, borhani, bhuna khichuri, korma, mutton curry, different types of kebabs and drinks are among the mouth-watering items. The alleys of the old city are famous for different kinds of such delectable foods.

"The flavour and taste of biriyani in old Dhaka is still unique and this is the reason people come to old Dhaka to eat biriyani," said Tauhid, a service holder.

"Maybe because of the ingredients they use in the biriyani it tastes different from shops in other areas," he said.

However, another veteran chef in the area lamented that because of price hike and non-availability of many essential spices and ingredients the flavour and quality of the food items are not as it was before.

"The prices of the items have also gone up," he remarked.

Kazi Alauddin Road, Aga Sadeq Road, Bangshal and many other areas in old Dhaka are famous for their biriyani outlets.

"Once in a while I go to old Dhaka and eat Hajir biriyani. It's speciality is that I can eat more than when I eat biriyani from other shops because of its preparations and taste," said Samin, a service holder.

"In old times when I was a student we used to dine in old Dhaka. My favourite items were lassi, paratha and bhaji. But nowadays the taste is not like the old days," said Salam, an elderly person from Dhanmondi.

The foods of old Dhaka are a mixture of Sultani, Mughal, Portuguese, British, French, Dutch, Greek and Armenian traditions. The added ingredients are the styles of the cooks and women of old Dhaka.

Bakorkhani is one rare item that exists from the Mughal period. It is served with sweetmeat and hot dishes. There were three types of Bakorkhani -- gao joban, shuki and nimshuki.

In many parts of old Dhaka the narrow lanes are flanked by bakorkhani shops. All the shops have big ovens in the middle with lots of people engaged to make bakorkhani. They are busy kneading flour, making small balls and then making two straight cuts in the middle of the tiny disk-like pieces.

Bakorkhani is made of oil, flour, water, salt, dalda, ghee and cheese. After making small disk-like pieces those are put inside the oven for 10 minutes. Then they are yanked out of the oven with a metal stick and packed for sale.

"Around 6,000 pieces can be made in a day with the help of two apprentices," said owner and baker of a bakorkhani shop at Alauddin Road. The demand of bakorkhani is very high during the two Eids.

In the past there were many popular drinks in old Dhaka. Sheerberenj and Sheer-e-faluda were two of them.

Sheerberenj was made of half ground fine rice, milk, sugar, raisin, pistachio, rosewater, cinnamon, cardamom and saffron. Sher-e-faluda was made of vermicelli of fine rice, sugar, honey, pistachio, raisin, banana, mango, papaw, saffron, rosewater and ice.

"The faluda that are now available in New Market and Gausia are no match with the original faluda," said Nasima, an elderly woman from old Dhaka.

Hajir biriyani, Nanna Miar biriyani and Hanif biriyani are among the famous biriyani houses in old Dhaka. Many biriyani outlets are open even the whole night. more..