Efforts on to uplift agriculture sector: Minister

The government has been working relentlessly to bring a revolution in the country’s agriculture sector to increase food production and thus boost the economy.

“I will discuss with the high-ups about the proposal for two per cent interest on loans for the agriculture-processing industry to further flourish this sector,” said Agriculture minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque at a webinar on Thursday.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries organised the virtual programme titled “Bangabandhu’s agricultural thoughts: Future Challenges and Prospective.”

Attending the webinar, the minister also said, “As the government is working hard to further develop this potential sector of the country, I do hope to see a possible revolution in the country’s agriculture sector.”

“During his tenure, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spent his valuable times on the country’s agriculture sector. Now, we have to increase our production in agriculture. The acceptance of Bangladesh’s agro products should be increased in domestic and international markets,” said Abdur Razzaque.

State minister for the Ministry of Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said, “Bangabandhu built a string foundation of the country’s agriculture which is the backbone of the country.”

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman said, “The government provided many incentives in agriculture sector to boost it. Youth are now also being encouraged to come in this vital agriculture sector to avail the government positive initiates,” he also added.

FBCCI president Jashim Uddin said, “It was a big challenge for Bangabandhu to make a policy for the war-turn Bangladesh for the overall economic development within his short tenure”

“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a green revolution in agriculture sector as he saw a fragile economy immediately after the independence of the country. Simultaneously, he put focus on agriculture research in order to invent new varieties and use of modern technology in agriculture sector,”Jashim also added.

The webinar was also addressed, among others, by executive director of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh Dr Ahsan H Mansur and Swadhinata Puroshkar as well as Ekushey Padak winning journalist Shykh Seraj.