Timely steps helped us avoid food shortage: Razzaque

Bangladesh took timely steps amid the Covid-19 pandemic as per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives, allowing the country to avoid food shortages and boost food production, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque has said.

Addressing a press conference at Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council on Friday to mark the World Food Day 2021 – being observed today – the minister said, “Bangladesh produced more than 2 crore [2.8 crore] tonnes of Boro rice in FY2020-21 and it is our highest record ever.

“Total rice production during this period was 3.86 crore tonnes. Bangladesh also produced 12 lakh tonnes of wheat, 56 lakh tonnes of corn, 1.6 crore tonnes of potato, 1.97 crore tonnes of vegetables, 12 lakh tonnes of oil seeds, and 9 lakh tonnes of pulse.”

The minister said the country cultivated an additional seven lakh tonnes of onions compared to the previous season, as part of an initiative to achieve self-sufficiency in the kitchen ingredient.

“Many countries faced food shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic, but in a concerted effort, we managed to ensure continued production,” he said, adding, “The government is trying to ensure food safety and nutrition for all.

“To ensure food sustainability, the government has formulated several policies such as the National Agriculture Policy 2018, National Agricultural Mechanization Policy 2020, and National Food and Nutrition Security Policy.”