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Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Thursday said that Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in food production and it is time to focus on the agriculture industry for further success in the agriculture sector.
“The current government has made the country self-sufficient in food production and the government will do everything necessary for agricultural development in the future,” he said while addressing an international conference held at the BRAC CDM auditorium in Savar near the capital, said a press release.
The 3-day conference was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Extension Network (BAEN) and India’s Participatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS).
Dr Md Sekender Ali, secretary general of the BAEN, delivered the welcome speech while Dr Daniel Gustafson, special representative of the director general of the World Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), presented the keynote speech. Dr Md Hamidur Rahman, president of BAEN, presided over the event.
Around 350 delegates from various countries including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United States, United Kingdom, and Italy participated in the conference themed “Food and Nutritional Security for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in SAARC Countries: Revisiting Extension Approaches and Strategies”.
In his speech as the chief guest, Abdur Razzaque said the prices of agricultural materials, including fertilisers and seeds, will not be increased in the country.
“There will be no increase in the prices of agricultural materials, including fertilisers and seeds, in the country to continue agricultural production and ensure sustainable food security,” he said. The minister said, “The four key themes of this conference are very timely and very important for the development of extension services in Bangladesh and other SAARC countries. However, priority should be placed on how quickly and effectively the extension services can be delivered to the doorstep of farmers.”
“Around 30 years ago, the agriculture sector had a 60% contribution to the country’s GDP. However, as expected and projected by us, this percentage is now decreasing. Now, we must also focus on the agriculture industry, as well as the service sector. This is because food and nutrition issues are closely linked with industrial and service sectors,” he added.
