More investment in agriculture-- both by the public and private sectors -- is needed, particularly in sub-sectors like irrigation, seeds and research, to enhance quality production as well as export, they told the seminar.

Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) organised the daylong seminar in cooperation with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Dhaka.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue attended the seminar as the chief guest while EPB Vice-chairman Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad and DCCI President MA Momen attended it as the special guest.

Dr Sanae Ito, associate professor of Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan, and Shunsuke Satomi, executive board member of Shapla Ner (NPO), presented separate keynote papers.

Ambassador Inoue said Bangladeshi food, vegetables and fruits contain more medicinal values and it needs vigorous ideas and creativity to expand the export basket globally.

Mir Shahabuddin laid stress on integration of marginal farmers with the high technology for diversification of production with international standard to face the global challenges.

He said presently Bangladesh exports 35 categories of vegetables and other cereals to about 20 countries.

MA Momen said Japan will give financial assistance worth US dollar 10 billion to different countries for the development of their agricultural infrastructures in the next three years and urged the government of Japan to cooperate so that Bangladesh can be a partner of this fund.