Dependence on imported agri products will be gradually reduced: minister

Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has said Bangladesh will gradually reduce its dependence on imported agricultural products by boosting farm production, expanding storage facilities and increasing the use of modern technology.

He said the performance and progress of the Ministry of Agriculture during the government’s first 180 days had been satisfactory.

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The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the conference room of the Ministry of Agriculture today.

“There is currently no shortage of fertiliser in the country. In fact, stocks are higher than demand and are also higher than they were at the same time last year. Claims of an artificial fertiliser shortage are creating unnecessary confusion,” he said.

The minister said the Farmer Card would be distributed gradually to 350,000 to 400,000 farmers every month.

A database of around 1.4 million farmers has already been prepared under the pilot programme, he added.

“So far this year, we have not had to import any onions,” he said.

“Previously, large quantities of onions would rot and go to waste due to inadequate storage facilities. With the use of technology, onions can now be stored for up to six months. In the coming days, infrastructure will be developed to create storage capacity for 300,000 tonnes of onions.”

He said the government has also taken initiatives to gradually reduce the country’s dependence on imports of jute seeds, onion seeds and ginger.

The minister said cultivation of a new rice variety, BRRI 118, would begin next year.

The variety can be planted 10 to 15 days earlier than the usual planting period in the haor areas, making it particularly useful in protecting crops from flash floods, he said.

He also highlighted the high cost of irrigation as a major concern for farmers.

“Irrigation costs are a major burden for farmers. We have plans to bring all irrigation pumps across the country under solar power. As an initial step, preparations have already been completed to convert 60,000 to 62,000 pumps to solar power,” he said.