Agro revolution makes country self-sufficient in food: Tipu

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Saturday said a revolution has taken place in the agriculture sector increasing crop output and making the country self-sufficient in food production.

"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are becoming self-reliant in agriculture. Our agro-products have huge demand in international markets. For this, the government is giving huge subsidies in the agriculture sector," he said.

Tipu was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day agricultural fair arranged under the Tuber Crop Development Project (TCDP) at Pirgachha upazila parishad premise in the district as the chief guest.

The Pirgachha upazila administration and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) are jointly organising the fair.

Different departments, organisations, NGOs and private bodies have set up 15 stalls on the fair premises displaying the latest agriculture technologies, machinery, equipment and products.

The Commerce Minister distributed fertilisers and seeds to 1,600 beneficiary farmers in the function.

Besides, he distributed 70 bundles of corrugated iron (CI) sheets and Tk 2,10,000 among 35 educational institutions and 28 bundles of CI sheets and Tk 84,000 among 28 affected families affected by recent storms and fire incidents.

Tipu said many educational institutions and houses have been damaged in recent fires and natural calamities in Pirgachha upazila and the government is trying to stand by the affected people to mitigate their sufferings.

"During the tenure of the present Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Pirgachha and Kawnia have seen huge development," he said.

Pirgachha Upazila Chairman Abu Naser Shah Md Mahbubar Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Nazmul Haque Sumon, Upazila Awami League President Md Taslim Uddin and General Secretary of Upazila Project Abdullah Al Mahmud Milon spoke on the occasion.

Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Abdul Aziz, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Habibur Rahman and Upazila Social Service Officer Md Enamul Haque also graced the occasion with their presence.