Subsidy boosting mechanisation in agriculture: Razzaque
Agricultural mechanisation is happening fast in the country owing to the subsidy provided by the present government, said Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaue.
"The government is giving agricultural equipment to farmers at 50-70 per cent subsidy to accelerate agricultural mechanisation. As a result of this subsidy or incentive, rapid agricultural mechanisation is undergoing in the country," he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a three-day conference titled "Use of Power and Energy Saving Technology for Sustainable Development of Agriculture" at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka on Thursday.
The IEB and ExpoNet Exhibition (Pvt) Ltd organised the event on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.
Razzaque said the country's scientists have invented a lot of modern agricultural technology. They have developed a variety of short-lived Aman paddy and as a result, mustard cultivation is possible between the Aman and Boro seasons.
"The complete genome of drought and salinity tolerant paddy was unveiled a few days ago. There are two million hectares of saline land on the coast. If saline tolerant paddy is cultivated and harvested twice a year, the food production system will be sustainable," he said.
In addition, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has recently developed a paddy harvester which is much cheaper and very suitable for use in the country.
"But it is a big challenge now to bring out technologies to the field level. These invented technologies are going to the field at a very slow pace. If our technology does not go to the field no benefit can be obtained even by inventing them."
The minister further said that advanced agricultural technology is being used in different countries now. "Take action to see how they can be quickly used in the country, used in production. We will provide maximum support from the government. But you have to do the job," he urged the researchers and engineers.
Urging the private companies to come forward to manufacture machinery in the country without relying only on imports, the minister said many companies are selling agricultural machinery after importing from abroad. But sadly, no one is preparing or assembling these in Bangladesh, Razzaque added.
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