Build capacity for quality agro products: Experts

Experts on Wednesday recommended capacity building through strengthening the regulatory framework and upgrading testing facilities to ensure quality fresh and processed agro-products for export and local consumption.

They also suggested production following Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and GMP, maintaining quality based on Total Quality Management (TQM) principles, and adopting risk-based quality assurance procedures.
The recommendations came at a webinar titled “Ensuring Food Safety and Supply Chain in a Pandemic” organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).

Professor Dr Burhan Uddin of food technology and rural industries department at Bangladesh Agricultural University presented the keynote paper.
“The global food trade has an enormous impact on both the health of populations and the economies of nations. Around 600 million people become ill and 4,20,000 die each year from food-borne diseases,” he said, citing WHO data.

He added that loss in productivity, trade and treatment costs amount to $110 billion annually, mainly in low and middle-income countries. “Food safety standards and regulations are essential to ensure food is safe at all points along supply chains in both international trade and within nations,” Burhan said.
He recommended establishing databases on the requirements of importing countries.

DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said we have to focus on relevant regulations like GAP, GMP standards, safety-net, health-hygiene, e-commerce so that we can create a friendly ecosystem to face the challenges of any pandemic or disaster.

“A 15 per cent VAT on f-commerce will hamper this sector,” he said, requesting the government to withdraw it to give them room to grow.
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque asked the big business group to invest in the food processing sector.

“We have tried to upgrade and reform the age-old policies. We are self-sufficient in all food commodities. But ensuring safe food in Bangladesh is a big challenge. The government is also emphasising safe food,” he said.

The minister said that they are committed to giving people nutritious food and safe food as well as prioritising commercialisation and modernisation. “We need international standard food processing industry to compete in the global market,” he underscored importance of coordination between BSTI and the Food Safety Authority.

“We will increase e-commerce facility in the food value chain system to strengthen marketing,” he said. “Laboratory facility in Shyampur will be enhanced and a budget of Tk 156 core has already been approved.”
Food Secretary Dr Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum said public-private partnership (PPP) can be useful for ensuring safe food in the country.

“We have a plan to train and create skilled workforce. Motivation of all concerned in the food value chain is important. There are lots of problems and we have to solve all constraints gradually,” she said, urging the private sector to inform the government to intervene where needed.

Director General of BSTI Dr Md Nazrul Anwar said, “We are harsh against the contaminated food producers. We have developed a software with QR code facility to stop duplication of BSTI logo.”

Advisor of Value Chain and Market Development at the World Bank Dr Mahbub Alam urged the digitisation and technological involvement in the food sector.

Managing Director of Foodpanda Bd Ltd Ambareen Reza said that in the last one year, about 5,000 restaurants were closed due to a lack of efficient supply chain system. “Replicating RMG supply chain success model in the food value chain system. Due to lack of supply chain system big names in the world do not want to come to Bangladesh. Pricing is not an issue rather post-harvest storage facility is more important,” she added.

Ambareen also urged to reduce duty on import of packaging materials.
Among others, Chairman of Kernal Foundation Dr Md Saleh Ahmed, and CEO of Bengal Meat AFM Asif also spoke there.