Cross-check data on crop output to avoid discrepancies

With government agencies giving varying crop production estimates, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque yesterday said it was necessary to cross check whether accurate data was coming from the field level of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

"There is a discrepancy in crop production data between the BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics) and DAE," Razzaque told a workshop at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), according to a press release.

He shared these views at a time when the DAE estimates on crop production stand higher than that made by the BBS – a mismatch that affects proper decision making.

For instance, the DAE estimated that Boro rice production would be 2 crore tonnes in fiscal 2019-20 while the BBS estimated it to be 1.96 crore tonnes.

Meanwhile for maize production, the calculations were 54 lakh tonnes and 40 lakh tonnes respectively.

Razzaque asked the agriculture ministry and other agencies to cross check crop production data, according to the statement.

He said Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in food production due to increased cultivation of improved varieties developed by the BRRI scientists.

However, the main challenge for ensuring food security is maintaining a balance with population growth, he said, citing that the population grew by 22 lakh to 23 lakh people each year.

On the other hand, available farmland is declining for various reasons, Razzaque added.

"We will have to introduce more improved varieties and introduce technology in order to double productivity by 2030," he said.

The BRRI has so far developed 105 high yield varieties and 250 agricultural technologies to increase rice production, said BRRI Director General Md Shahjahan Kabir.

The state research agency also developed 12 saline, three drought and four submergence tolerant rice varieties.

Razzaque suggested taking the best performing varieties at farmers' doorsteps so that they come to accept the varieties and start cultivating those.