Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque has urged the developed nations to increase investment in developing and least developed countries and boost assistance to ensure global food security.
He made the call at the 13th the Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Conference on Friday. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture organised the conference. This edition has been held virtually (from Jan 18 to Jan 22) due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Agriculture ministers from more than 80 countries and representatives of 14 international organisations took part in this edition.
Minister Razzaque led the Bangladesh side. Agriculture Secretary Md Mesbahul Islam and Additional Secretary Md Ruhul Amin Talukder were the other members of the team.
The minister said Bangladesh managed to keep up the trend food production thanks to timely steps taken by the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
He said: “So far, we’ve succeeded in ensuring food security for our people. We’ll need concerted efforts to ensure global food security.
“It’ll require the developed nations to stand beside the developing and under-developed countries. Developed countries will need to increase investment and assistance in developing countries’ agriculture sector, agro processing, farming tools and strengthen the food value chain.”
Minister Razzque also urged to develop an ‘advance warning system’ on food crisis.
