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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently implementing programmes worth $50 million on capacity building in Bangladesh.
USDA Country Representative Megan M Francic made the disclosure at a press conference in the American Centre, organised by the US embassy in Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Among these programmes, there is a school feeding programme, and a safe aqua farming for economic and trade improvement project – which is designed to increase production of farmed shrimp and prawn in Bangladesh.
The USDA is also implementing Bangladesh trade facilitation programme – which is designed to expand regional and international trade in agricultural goods, Bangladesh Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Capacity Building Programme to mitigate and manage plant health and food safety risks.
It is also funding different fellowship programmes, by which the US government is providing training to Bangladeshi scientists and policymakers.
At the event, Megan further said, “Since 2006, the USDA has donated over $120 million to feed Bangladeshi school children. The programme started in the USA in 1940, and then spread globally. Trade between the two countries is interconnected.
“We continue to work together to grow together. The USA is interested in exporting additional products to Bangladesh. I think it is beneficial to everyone. Our farmers can sell products, and consumers here can have more choices. Even in very small ways we can work together.”
Megan also expressed her excitement about the approval of Golden Rice, and urged journalists to work to reduce public concerns centring the variety.
She said, “Golden rice is an amazing product because it has Vitamin A, and Vitamin A deficiency in children leads to blindness. We are very excited that golden rice was developed and waiting for approval [in Bangladesh].
“I think this is why we should work together with the government and journalists because you can educate the public who may be a little bit scared or nervous about this product. I think you can take a role to educate them.”
She also talked about global commodity prices, climate change issues, food security, and engagement of the private sector in agriculture and food security.
Megan however declined to comment on sanctions imposed on Russia. Karl R Thomas, information officer and spokesperson of the Embassy of the United States of America was present in the press conference.
