Food production thrived as government helped farmers: Agriculture Minister
Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak bashed critics of the government regarding recent claims that farmers are not getting adequate support. He questioned how food production could increase in recent years without the government helping the farmers all around.
The minister also said that the government is always helping the farmers, thus it reduced the prices of agricultural equipment and tools, reports UNB.
The minister expressed his views at a car-giving ceremony for Upazila Krishi Officers, under the 'Handing over of technology at upazila level' titled training project (3rd stage) that took place at the Krishibid Institution of Bangladesh (KIB)'s auditorium in the capital's Farmgate on Monday, regarding the ongoing criticism.
"Due to the successful industrialization in the country, the number of farmers is decreasing day by day and this is why the implementation of agro-mechanization is necessary. The government provides 50 to 70 percent subsidy to the agro-mechanization and will cordially look at the needs of agriculture and farmers,"Dr Razzak said.
He informed that total Tk 9,000 crore was allotted to the agricultural sector this budget. The government spent Tk 6,000 cr for the betterment of agriculture, and Tk 3,000 crore will be used for agro-mechanization purposes.
"Under the leadership and guidance of our prime minister, we have now become a country with surplus amount of foods. Now, we are focusing on achieving the same success regarding nutrition,"he added.
Regarding the recent price-dropping of rice, Razzak said "We are discussing this issue with several people and authorities, and the problem will be resolved very soon. We are well aware to keep the promises of our election manifesto- and we will definitely ensure the mechanization-modernization-industrialization of our agriculture."
Later, the minister handed over the car keys to 88 upazila agricultural officers as part of the project. Other officers will also get cars as part of the process, the minister informed.
The ongoing 2012-2018 project is planned with a budget of around Tk 315 crore. Through this project, ta total of 106 training centers will be made for farmers in 106 upazilas of 48 districts, and farmer helping centers will be established in 20 unions- with the motive to increase the activities and developments of the farmers.
Chaired by the Department of Agricultural Extension's director Mir Nurul Alam, the program was also attended by Additional secretary (extension) of Agricultural Ministry Sanat Kumar Saha as the special guest. The welcome speech was presented by the project director Tajul Islam Patowary.
