Self-sufficiency in food not achieved yet
Says Muhith
Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said that the country is yet to achieve the overall self- sufficiency in food.
“[When it comes to] overall self sufficiency, [I'll say] no. But, self sufficiency in rice is yes, in food grains, mostly,” he told reporters after visiting director general of Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Jose Graziano met him at his office at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
Muhith said the country has shortages in wheat production, but it is almost self-sufficient in maize output.
“But, still we have a better prospect for more maize production. We always have shortages in wheat because we can't produce more than one million tonnes a year,” he added.
The finance minister said the overall self-sufficiency also means meat, egg, milk and fish.
The FAO DG said the organisation has some regular and emergency programmes in Bangladesh involving $ 100 million which are engaged in tackling cyclone, drought and heavy rains.
“We've decided to integrate these two programmes (regular and emergency),” he added.
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