PM wants more investment in agro-based industries [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

PM wants more investment in agro-based industries

Local January 08, 2016

Expressing her firm determination to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence by upgrading Bangladesh to a middle income country, prime minister sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government wants to build Bangladesh as a dignified nation during the period.
‘Bangladesh is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence in 2021. To celebrate the great occasion, we want to elevate Bangladesh to a middle income country and build as a dignified nation so that none can neglect it by labelling as poverty and natural disaster-prone country,’ she said.
In this connection, the prime minister also said Bangladesh earned independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu. ‘We want to build Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty free country and none can see the Bangalee nation in the neglected eyes. I think that those who wanted to neglect the country already got a lesson on the issue of Padma Bridge… that lesson we have given and we proved that we can ,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said this while handing over Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Puroshkar 1420 (Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1420), the highest state recognition in the agriculture sector, at a function held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka Thursday morning.
The ministry of agriculture arranged the function with agriculture minister Begum Matia Chowdhury in the chair while fisheries and livestock minister Mohammad Sayedul Haque was present at the function as the special guest.
The awards included five gold medals, nine silver medals and 18 bronze medals.
Those who received the gold medals are Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Mosammat Nurunnahar of Iswardi in Pabna, Mohammad Abdul Quiyum Majumdar of Matlab North in Chandpur, Niva Rani Bishwash of Monirampur in Jessore and Shakti Kirtania of Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Expressing gratitude to the people for standing beside her at the time of her announcement about constructing the bridge from own funds , the Premier said she received unprecedented response from the countrymen when she made the announcement after donor agencies withdrew financing in this regard with false allegation.
She said the support of the countrymen has strengthened her mental strength to a great extent and the country was able to start the mega project for the support. ‘So we would never depend on others… Bangladesh is a victorious nation and it will move keeping its head high. We would materialise the dream of Bangabandhu by establishing Bangladesh as hunger and poverty-free country Insha Allah.,’ she said.
The Premier said Bangladesh has already got international recognition as the country was upgraded to a lower-middle-income country. ‘But we don’t want to remain only as a lower middle income country. We want to establish Bangladesh as a middle income country very fast and we are working with that goal and plan. I believe that the days are not far long that we could achieve that goal,’ she said.
Focusing on gradual reduction of chemical fertilisers for raising fertility and maintaining quality of the soil, Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned to give attention to sustainable agriculture system.
‘The farmers will have to be motivated to use of organic pesticides instead of chemical ones and the cultivation of chemical-free crops will have to be boosted for good health of the people,’ she said.
Calling for producing planned production of vegetables, Sheikh Hasina said farmers face losses due to unplanned cultivation of vegetables. ‘It’s necessary to produce crops determining the demand and it can be ensured through crop zoning,’ she observed.
Putting emphasis on setting up agro-based mills and factories, the prime minister said Bangladesh could fetch more foreign currencies by exporting surplus crops after processing. ‘It would help farmers get fair prices for their produces,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned including farmers to give focus on producing other crops like onion, garlic, lentils and spices apart from paddy and wheat.
Pointing out that a special demand for organic food has been created across the globe, she said Bangladesh could exploit this opportunity as the price of organic food is much more than the foods produced through chemical fertilisers.
Mentioning that the country has reached to a stable situation in agriculture, Sheikh Hasina said: ‘We have to give attention to sustainable agriculture system to retain this success.’
Sheikh Hasina called for undertaking initiatives for expansion of technologies that are consistent with climate change.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is now a ‘role model’ in agriculture development. ‘The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has recently recognised Bangladesh’s floating farming system as the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems,’ she said.
Congratulating the winners of Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Purashkar 1420, the prime minister hoped they would inspire others in taking the future agriculture to the desired goal.