Foodgrain stock sufficient
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinaon yesterday said people will not suffer from any food crisis as there is enough stock of foodgrains in the country.
"We're hearing the footfall of another flood. Some crops have already got damaged in flashflood but we've enough stock and we're importing more," she said.
The prime minister said this while distributing the medals of Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1421 and 1422 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Citing official data, she said, there are about 1.06 crore metric tonnes of foodgrains in stock in public silos and at the private level.
"Above all, we're importing more foodgrains to make the stock stronger, we're importing foods from various countries spending cash," Hasina said.
The prime minister said the government is doing this so that the country's people do not suffer because of flood. "We've already done that."
Besides, she said, the government has reduced the import duty on foodgrain import from 28 percent to 10 percent.
Hasina urged the private sector to supplement the government efforts to expedite the pace of agriculture development.
She underscored the need for concerted efforts for packaging and preservation of farm products alongside boosting agricultural production. The prime minister called upon all to protect the marshy land and water bodies across the country.
The prime minister mentioned the use of pesticides has come down significantly as emphasis is being given on integrated pest management programme. "Crop zoning maps have been introduced to select crops as per the nature of soil, climate and areas."
Laying emphasis on bringing change in food habit to increase the nutrition of people, the prime minister said crop diversification is a must in this regard. "Production of onion, garlic, pulse and spices should be increased along with that of rice and wheat."
Hasina said the existing stable condition in agriculture should be maintained through introduction of sustainable agriculture system and there is a huge demand for organic food across the world. "We can earn huge foreign currency taking advantage of this demand."
Earlier, the prime minister distributed Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1421 and 1422 among 64 recipients. Ten individuals and organisations received gold medals and eighteen individuals and organisations received silver medal.
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury chaired the event.
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