POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Mar 9, 2022 : 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.
In addition, the FAO will invite Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to an investment conference and they hope that the Prime Minister will attend.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Secretariat on Wednesday morning. Md. Abdur Razzak made the remarks at a meeting with MP Qu Qu Dongyu, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). He also lauded the development achievements of Bangladesh in all fields under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
At the time, the agriculture minister said, we need international investment in the development of the agricultural sector. 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. These cases require investment.
Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture at the meeting. Saidul Islam, Additional Secretary. Ruhul Amin Talukder, FAO Assistant Director General Jung-Jin Kim, Bangladesh Representative Robert Simpson and 10 members of FAO were present.
After the meeting, the Agriculture Minister exchanged views with the journalists. He said that FAO conference is going on in Dhaka and 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 has developed global rules on how to reduce the harmful effects of pesticides.
“We are now producing 57 lakh tonnes of maize in the country,” he added. The climate in Bangladesh is very good for maize. The FAO has played a major role in maize production in Bangladesh. I think in the future, our relationship with the FAO will expand.
Asked whether the Ukraine-Russia war would have an impact on commodity prices in Bangladesh, the minister said commodity 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 won’t have any major problems. There will be no food crisis, no wailing. ‘
