Bangladesh imports 90% agro-machinery: Razzaque

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque has said that Bangladesh imports around 90 per cent of agricultural machinery from different countries even though these machines are very expensive.

“We want to manufacture these agricultural machinery in our country. Public Private Partnership (PPP) can play a vital role in this regard,” he said on Thursday.

The government will provide all kinds of support — including technical, economic and policy — if private industrialists come forward to make this happen, he said at a review meeting, on PPP in the agricultural sector, at his office in Dhaka.

The minister said that the government’s key goal now is commercializing the agriculture sector to improve the living standards of the farmers. “We are working on it.

“However, the cooperation of private industrialists is needed; especially in agricultural processing and mechanisation.”

Recent floods have caused heavy crop damage in 12 districts, including Sylhet and Sunamganj, he said. “Another flood may occur in August. But we are ready for this.”

Razzaque said they have taken round-the-clock preparation to deal with all types of natural disasters like floods, drought and cyclones that badly affect agriculture. “We have also undertaken a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. “At the same time, cultivation of late varieties of paddy has been stressed in flood-prone areas.”

He also said that the government is now providing loans at a 4 per cent interest rate to produce agricultural products like pulses and oil locally to reduce import pressure.

“We also plan to provide [the farmers with the necessary] facilities to produce all kinds of agricultural products,” he added.

The minister stressed that the government has allowed the import of rice again to keep the market stable and there is no fear of local farmers being affected by that.

“A certain amount of rice will be imported. When that amount arrives in the country, imports will be stopped. We are closely monitoring the market every day. “Meanwhile, I think the stability in the market has brought the price down a bit,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam presided over Thursday’s meeting, which was attended by ministry officials, heads of various organisations and departments, agriculture and industrial entrepreneurs and business representatives.