Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad AbdurRazzaquehas said that the Ministry of Agriculture is taking timely steps and implementing them as per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to increase food production amid the pandemic.
He said that as a result of this, food production in the country has increased and continues to do so.
“In the fiscal year 2020-21, the Boro production was more than 20 million tonnes, which is the highest in the history of the country. Compared to last year, the production of all crops has increased this year. The total production of rice has been 3 crore 86 lakh tonnes, wheat 12 lakh tonnes, maize about 57 lakh tonnes, potato 1 crore 6 lakh tonnes, vegetables 1 crore 97 lakh tonnes, oil crop 12 lakh tonnes and pulses 9 lakh tonnes,” he said.
He made the statement while addressing a press briefing at the auditorium of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at Farmgate in Dhaka on Friday on the occasion of World Food Day 2021.
Dr Razzaque said “Despite many countries in the world facing food crisis, under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the joint efforts of everyone, we have been able to continue food production in the country by tackling all disasters. I hope we can continue to do so in the future too.”
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam presided over the press briefing organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
FAO Bangladesh Representative Robert D Simpson spoke as the Guest of Honor at the event. Senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and heads of agencies were present at this time.
It may be mentioned that World Food Day 2021 will be celebrated in Bangladesh today like other countries of the world with the joint initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO.
It was informed in the briefing that the Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken various programs to highlight the importance of the day. An international seminar has been organized at InterContinental Dhakatoday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest at the seminar.
During the seminar, the Prime Minister will unveil the cover of the book '100 Years of Agricultural Development in Bangladesh' published by BARC and release 'Bangabandhu Paddy 100' invented by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). Besides, the Prime Minister will unveil a portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, built with 'Bangabandhu Paddy 100'.
