Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina praised Bangladeshi agricultural scientists and researchers for their success in agriculture stating Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in food production.
The Prime Minister expressed her gratitude by virtually joining from the Ganobhaban on Saturday (October 16) at a hotel in the capital to mark World Food Day-2021.
Emphasizing continuing research, she said, “From the time when you discover a seed, when you invent it and when it is in production, gradually the amount of production decreases. That is why the research must be continued at all times.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the various steps taken by the present government to modernize food production and agriculture like Use of Digital Technology in Agriculture; introducing Agriculture Window, Farmer Friend Phone Service (3331), Farmer’s Window, Farmer Information Center (18123); Information Exchange with Farmers, Issuance of Agricultural Materials Assistance Card to about 21 million farmers.
She mentioned the expansion of agriculture including opening bank account at Tk. 10, supply of improved seeds and fertilizers, research, training, agricultural mechanization and so on.
Stating that various studies are being done in seed production, the Prime Minister said, ‘We will produce seeds, we will not be dependent on others. Quality seeds must be collected and stored properly.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled ‘Bangabandhu Paddy-100’ invented by Bangladesh Paddy Research Institute (BRI).
Highlighting Bangladesh’s success in food production, the Prime Minister said, “At present, we are able to produce surplus food. Bangladesh is now third in the world in rice production, third in vegetable production, fourth in tea production, seventh in mango and potato production and eighth in guava production. We have achieved the third place in the production of fish in the inland open water and the first place in the production of hilsa fish.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder and Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister S. M. Rezaul Karim spoke among others while the Agriculture Minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak presided over. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mesbahul Islam gave a welcome speech on the occasion.