The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will work to increase investment in the development of agriculture in Bangladesh. The FAO will host an investment conference next October. There, they will encourage other international development and donor agencies to invest in the development of Bangladesh's agricultural sector and the transformation of the agro-food system.
This was stated by the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Kiu Dongyu during a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak. The meeting was held on Wednesday (March 9, 2022) at the Agriculture Minister's office in the Secretariat. After the meeting, the Agriculture Minister informed the journalists about this.
Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak said, ‘We need international investment for the development of agriculture. We want to develop irrigation system with barred pipes (underground lines). We are going to expand the newly invented crop varieties in the coastal saline areas. We want to increase the cultivation of high value crops in hilly areas. In addition, we want to add value and export by processing agricultural products. Investment is needed in these cases. '
Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak further said, ‘FAO conference is going on in Dhaka. On this occasion, FAO DG has come to Bangladesh. The FAO assists us in agricultural development. They give us technical support. They work closely with donors. The FAO makes it a global rule that we can reduce the harmful effects of pesticides. '
"We are now producing 5.7 million tonnes of maize in the country," he said. The climate in Bangladesh is very good for maize. The FAO has played a major role in maize production in Bangladesh. I think our relationship with the FAO will expand in the future. "
Asked whether the Ukraine-Russia war would have an impact on commodity prices in Bangladesh, the minister said, "Prices have risen in the international market. The Ukraine-Russia war has had a profound effect on commodity prices in the country. However, we now have maximum stocks of food grains. Crop production is also good. Besides, new rice will come from April 15. So, all in all, we don't have a big problem. There will be no food crisis, no wailing. '
The meeting was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Sayedul Islam, Additional Secretary Md. Ruhul Amin Talukder and Assistant Director General of FAO Jung-Jin Kim.
|Source: Online/KSU
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