‘Keep agro-processing units open during next lockdown’

The country's agro-processors yesterday urged the government to allow their factories to remain open during the 14-day countrywide lockdown starting from July 23.

Members of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA) are involved in the production, marketing and export of a wide range of essential food items, including rice, pulses, flour, flattened and puffed rice, noodles, oil, salt, dairy products and bread.

"Due to the shutdown, it will not be possible to produce these products and deliver the essential food items to consumers. As a result, there is a possibility of a terrible food crisis in the country," the association said in a statement.

It said these food factories are located in remote areas of the country, where the population density is very low.

So, if these factories are kept open, production can be continued while maintaining hygiene rules, according to the statement.

Mentioning that the processed agricultural products of Bangladesh are being regularly exported to more than 145 countries across the world, BAPA said if the factories remain closed, the export of these products will be severely disrupted.

"For the first time, the country's agricultural exports have crossed the $1 billion milestone thanks to the efforts of BAPA members and the government. If the factories remain closed for a long time, the progress will be hampered and it will not be possible to achieve the target for the current financial year," it said.

Earlier, the government had taken various steps, including general holidays and lockdowns, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. At that time, all kinds of industries remained open while maintaining hygiene rules.

"So, we urged the government to keep agro-processing factories open during the lockdown under special consideration," the association added.