Nod to farming in Africa
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave a green signal to a proposal that Bangladesh leases land in some African countries and send farmers there to grow crops like rice and cotton for its consumption as well as export.
The prime minister's endorsement came after the proposal was discussed at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, sources close to the meeting said.
According to the proposal, Bangladesh will lease land in those African countries where Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers were posted or are still on duty. Dhaka will send farm workers primarily to grow cotton in that land.
In giving the go-ahead to the proposal mooted by the commerce ministry, the prime minister asked the other ministries concerned, especially the foreign ministry, to take effective measurers to deal with the legal or other issues in renting foreign land for farming. She asked amending rules, if necessary, in leasing farm land overseas, said the sources.
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan told The Daily Star some African countries have already agreed to lease out farming land to Bangladesh. Commerce ministers of some African countries including Tanzania last year assured him of giving all out support if Bangladesh wants to lease land for cultivation.
Terming the premier's approval a landmark, he said, “We have been working on the concept for long, and primarily we have targeted leasing land in those countries where Bangladesh has attained good reputation through its UN peacekeepers.”
He went on, “I have already talked to the army chief and some other officers concerned in this regard.” Countries like Congo, Sierra Leon and Tanzania will be among the first choices.
Faruk Khan said Bangla has virtually become the second language in Sierra Leon, and Bangladesh's armed forces are very popular and respected there. So, it will be easy for Bangladeshi farmers to work there. “We can produce cotton in Sierra Leon to meet our needs,” he added.
He said food grains can also be grown there, and a portion of the produce can be sold to earn foreign currency. He mentioned that there are good lands for producing rice in Tanzania.
“We have already opened a cell at our ministry, headed by a deputy secretary, to deal with issues relating to lease of foreign land and find out people interested in farming there,” said the commerce minister. Primarily two to three private farms will be allowed to lease foreign land, he added.
Farm land has been shrinking in Bangladesh due to heavy population growth and climate change that affects land. Dhaka has been looking for renting land overseas considering these aspects.
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