Government Pushing Agricultural Exports, Agriculture Minister Says at Gazipur Irradiation Centre Opening

The government wants to move the economy forward through agricultural exports by strengthening the country's farm sector. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said importance is being given to raising production of agricultural goods alongside reducing import dependence in order to achieve that goal.

He made the remarks on Saturday morning, October 31, as chief guest at the inauguration of the Gamma Irradiation Centre of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture at Sreepur in Gazipur.

He said the government has planned to turn the agricultural products of the coming days into one of the country's main export items. If the agriculture sector becomes stronger, the country's economy will also prosper, he said.

The agriculture minister said those involved in agricultural exports must have specific and realistic work plans. To survive competition in the international market, product quality must be ensured and efficiency in production and export management must increase, he said.

He said many scientists had advised him to stop imports of capsicum and carrots. The government also wants domestic demand to be met through agricultural products produced in the country, he said.

The minister said it is not desirable for a country where farm products can be produced all year round to remain dependent on imports of such goods. The government wants to come out of import dependence, he said.

He also said that to use the potential of agricultural exports, planned initiatives must be taken at every stage, from production to preservation and marketing.

Chaired by Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture Director Lutfor Rahman, the programme was also addressed by Gazipur-3 lawmaker Dr S M Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan and the resident representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization, among others.

The keynote paper at the programme was presented by the institute's Director for Administration, Dr Shariful Haque Bhuiyan.

The agriculture minister later inspected the activities of the Gamma Irradiation Centre. Senior officials of the agriculture department and representatives of various Chinese organisations were present at the time.