Do more research to expand market
PM tells scientists about local fruits, agro items
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked agricultural scientists to conduct further research on local fruits and agricultural items to expand the market for those.
"It is essential to carry out more research on our local fruits and local items.... I think our local items are tastier," she said while unveiling the cover of a book titled "100 Krishi Projukti Atlas" at a function in the city.
The programme was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, with the PM joining it from the Gono Bhaban through a video conference.
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) published the Atlas, containing 100 agricultural technologies, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina said the retirement age in government service has turned out to be a problem for those who are involved in research. "We need to do something for the agricultural scientists. We want to give them more incentives."
She asked the authorities concerned to place proposals on how the incentives can be given to the scientists.
Noting that the government is giving importance to agriculture, the PM said they want to give more benefits to agricultural researchers.
The premier asked the researchers to prepare crop zoning map identifying the high-yielding zones of different crops across the country.
Hasina said the retirement age is not a problem anymore for researchers in universities as the age-ceiling was increased there.
She said enough research works were done in the agriculture sector and agricultural institutes were strengthened through increasing manpower.
"But, we are giving the highest importance to research. We'll have to give more importance to research as our population is growing."
Mentioning that Bangladesh's soil is very fertile, the PM put emphasis on plans, more studies and adequate laboratories for improving the quality of agricultural goods so that those can be exported abroad after meeting the local demand.
Hasina also stressed the need for development of agriculture-based industries as the country's economy is largely dependent on agriculture.
She said her government has already been able to ensure food security in the country and it has been working to achieve nutrition security.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry Matia Chowdhury, among others, addressed the programme, chaired by Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque.
A documentary on the 100 agricultural technologies was screened at the function. Agricultural scientists, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners and field-level agriculture officers were connected to the virtual function.