Razzaque calls for bringing state-owned fallow land under cultivation

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque has sought cooperation from three ministries with a call to take steps for cultivating fallow land of sugar, jute and textile mills along with railways under those ministries.

"To face possible food crisis amid unfavourable global situation, enormous scopes remain to take the farming initiative of food grain, vegetables, pulse and oilseed on unused arable land under various state-owned agencies," he said.

Razzaque made this appeal by sending a demi-official (DO) letter to the industries, textile and jute, and railways ministries.

ALSO READ — No famine risk in Bangladesh right now: Razzaque

The agriculture minister, however, also sought the personal initiatives of the three ministers, an official release confirmed on Sunday.

"The farming initiative on the fellow land at different sugar mills, jute mills, textile mills and the railways under the three ministries would help to raise food production of the country," the release added.

The upazila officials concerned under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) will provide necessary assistance for this farming.

Worldwide food production and marketing have been facing challenges resulting from the global pandemic coupled with the Russia-Ukraine war, said the release issued by the agriculture ministry, adding, "Even skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, including fertiliser and fuels, along with hampering of the supply chain have exposed a threat of food crisis all over the world."

Under the circumstances, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given directives for raising food production and not even keeping any land uncultivated in an effort to maintain food security in the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture is also working relentlessly to raise crop output along with increasing crop farming areas, establishing homestead gardens and bringing fallow land under cultivation, the release added.