No need to import rice this year

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque reassured that there is currently no shortage of rice in the country, and imports have not been necessary this year.

He expressed optimism that rice prices will remain stable, making these remarks during a seminar organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalist Forum (BAJF) on ‘Agricultural Transformation in Agriculture: Contribution of Kazi M Badruddoza.’

The minister stressed the need for a dynamic transformation in the agricultural sector, emphasising the use of biotechnology to address challenges stemming from depleting arable land and climate change. He highlighted the importance of modernizing agriculture through mechanisation and advanced technology to confront global challenges.

Razzaque pointed out that global food grain prices have been volatile due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and India has imposed restrictions on rice exports.

However, the availability of rice in Bangladesh has contributed to stable rice prices, he told the seminar held at CIRDAP International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Chaired by BAJF President Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, the seminar was addressed, among others, by former Director General of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Md Hamidur Rahman, Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, Director General of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Dr Debasish Sarker, NRBC Bank Chairman Parvez Tamal and Managing Director & CEO of ACI Agribusinesses Dr FH Ansarey.

BAJF General Secretary Shahanuare Shaid Shahin moderated the seminar.

Regarding Kazi M Badruddoza’s contribution to agriculture, Dr Razzaque praised him as a visionary and significant contributor to the transformation of Bangladesh’s agriculture. He acknowledged Badruddoza’s role in increasing agricultural production through Agricultural Genetics and Plant Pathology.

Dr FH Ansarey emphasised the challenges faced by agriculture in the future, such as new diseases due to increased humidity and the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, sea levels, salinity, and rainfall. He called for the adoption of precision agriculture, reducing yield gaps, and the development of climate-smart crop varieties to address these challenges.