Dutch agro expertise, tech to benefit Bangladeshi farmers

Farmers and food processors are set to benefit from Dutch expertise and technology after a high-level government and business delegation, led by the agriculture minister, visited the Netherlands, the Food and Agriculture Organization said on Sunday.

FAO supported the delegation through its Hand-in-Hand initiative that brings together countries with high agricultural potential together with developed countries that have efficient and developed agricultural sectors.

It encourages countries to define priorities and identify investment gaps and encourage knowledge sharing and private sector investment.

“The mission has been very successful and we have learned much about opportunities for technological support for increasing agricultural productivity and the processing value addition chain,” Agriculture minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said at the end of the official trip, according to a FAO press release.

“To be competitive in the global market in terms of price, quality, and safety, I think it’s important to keep updated with the latest technology and how we can take some of them back home to increase productivity,” he noted.

He said the productivity in the Netherlands was very high and he was impressed with the post-harvest handling. “They produce many high value products. They also import some of the commodities – fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, flowers – and they export to different countries in the world, including Europe and the USA, ” he said.

“We have made important links between businesses, entrepreneurs, and exporters involved in international agri-business and we will develop this network. In the business circle here, we have put Bangladesh on their agenda. Bangladesh will benefit from Dutch technology and know-how,” Razzaque added.

It was announced that there would be a trade mission from the Netherlands to Bangladesh by March next year. In addition, potato and onion experts from the Netherlands will train officials from the department of Agriculture Extension who will then train farmers.

Government delegates were accompanied by private sector leaders including Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and chief executive officer of Pran Foods; Md Parvez Saiful Islam, chief operating officer of Square Food and Beverage; Kazi Inam Ahmed, director of the Gemcon Group; and Mostafa Kamal, chairman and managing director of the Meghna Group of Industries; and FH Ansarey, managing director and CEO of ACI Agrolink.