PM for industrialization after protecting arable lands
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government will go for industrilisation for country’s development, but not bypassing the agriculture. Agriculture has to be protected as agriculture and farmers save us through food and nutrition.
She was inaugurating the 10th national council of Bangladesh Krishak League, an associate body of the ruling Awami League (AL), at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday (Nov 6).
“We are going to stop building industries here and there as we would have to save arable land for the sake of ensuring food security for the 16 crore people. The demand for foods never ends rather increases with soaring up the population,” she said.
The premier also said that country’s development is largely depended on agriculture. So, no more industries will be allowed on arable lands particularly in triple-cropped ones.
Mentioning that this sector is vital for the livelihood of a country, PM Hasina also urged the educated youths to engage them in agriculture leaving the mindset of being belittle in case of joining the agriculture.
She also asked the Krishak League leaders and workers to do something to this end.
The prime minister went on saying, “Bangladesh is a country largely depended on agriculture and the farmers are helping us to live by producing crops. So, never belittle the works of farmers and there is nothing to hesitate to do own works.
Highlighting her government’s initiatives for the development of agriculture, Sheikh Hasina said, “We are doing everything for the development of agriculture and thus farmers specially in the haor, char and hilly areas.
She further said her government has taken development projects giving utmost priority to the agriculture sector.
Mentioning the World Bank and other global lenders’ opposition to giving subsidy in agriculture, PM Hasina said at that time she told them, we don't need your money; we will subsidize in agriculture with our own money.
Recalling oppression on farmers by BNP government, the premier said, “Eighteen farmers were killed by then BNP government as they demanded fertilizer for cultivating land. After assuming power, we lowered fertilizer price four times to make it affordable to the farmers.”
She further said, “We are now a food surplus country due to the huge initiatives taken by our government for the development of agriculture following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation.”
Earlier, the Awami League President inaugurated the national council of the Bangladesh Krihak League by releasing pigeons and balloons.
