Boost food production to avert crisis: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her call to increase food production to save the country from any possible crisis amid the global economic recession due to the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

The premier was speaking at the programme marking the 25th founding anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) and inauguration of a Technology Exhibition.

The programme was held at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium while the PM joined it virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said the world is witnessing an economic recession as an impact of coronavirus and war-related sanctions and counter-sanctions by the US-led Western block and Russia.

"As a result, the prices of food items have soared beyond the purchasing capacity of all. Besides, prices of everything including power, fuel and transportation have been increased," she said.

She said the government is focusing on the food processing industries in the 100 economic zones that are being set up in different parts of the country by the government.

The PM also put emphasis on research on food products to ensure food security in the country.

She asked the authorities concerned along with involved persons to concentrate on producing more oil seeds in the country to reduce the dependency on others.

She said that Bangladesh imports 98 percent of the edible oil it consumes.

"But the mustard oil is the best for health. It can be upgraded through refining. We can do that," she said.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Education Minister Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Giashuddin Miah also spoke.

Located at Salna, Gazipur, BSMRAU was established in 1998 as the country's 13th state-run public university.