Scientists at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have invented a highly suitable and affordable rice harvester - Combine Harvester. Hailing the achievement at BRRI area in Gazipur on Friday, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said, “This is a remarkable achievement. Its rice harvesting capacity is comparatively high, suitable for use in small lands of the country.” The cost of various combine harvesters in the South Asian countries, including Myanmar, is Tk 25-30 lakh but this will cost Tk 12-13 lakh. Besides, the harvest loss is also low, said the minister. Read: Quinoa rice noodles keep diabetes under control: SUST study “If we can produce the machine invented by BRRI locally and use it all over the country, then there will be a revolution in agricultural mechanisation in Bangladesh,” he said, adding that it will play a unique role in increasing agriculture products and making it more profitable. Meanwhile, BRRI scientists said that the engine of their invented BRRI Whole Feed Combine Harvester was brought from abroad while the other equipment is locally made. Its engine power is about 87 horsepower. And so, the machine can collect paddy in 3-4 bighas of land per hour. Fuel consumption is about 3.5-4 litres per hour. Moreover, harvesting loss is less than one per cent. BRRI scientists also said it’s better than any combine harvester imported from abroad. Later, the minister inaugurated a new five-storey residential building 'BRRI Shramik Colony Bhaban' for BRRI workers at BRRI Chattar. Read: Bangladeshi scientists unveil full genome sequence of salinity, flood-tolerant rice He said agricultural workers have an important contribution in inventing new varieties of crops and technologies. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has been able to invent hundreds of high yielding rice varieties in the country thanks to talented scientists and agro workers which are making a significant contribution to the food security of the country. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took various initiatives for the housing of working people marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Outgoing Senior Secretary of the agriculture ministry Md Mesbahul Islam, his successor Md Sayedul Islam, Director General of BRRI Shahjahan Kabir, senior officials of the ministry and heads of agencies were present.

The recent hike in fuel price will “definitely” impact the agriculture sector, but the government has no immediate plan to increase the subsidies on diesel farmers use to run irrigation pumps, said Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday. “The process to provide subsidy in diesel to farmers for irrigation purpose is so complex. So, the government has no plan to provide any new subsidy in it,” he said. Razzzque said this at a press briefing at his office after his recent visit to the Netherlands and the UK. Read: Change food habit, reduce dependency on rice, Razzaque urges people Besides, the government has now no plan to raise the price of fertilizer despite its four-fold increase in international market, he said. Replying to a question about the recent hike in fuel and kerosene prices Razzaque said “Definitely there will be impact on agriculture sector and there is no question to deny it.” He said the farmers have already been going through many problems and in the peak season this year they did not get desired price for their crops. He, however, said farmers will not be immediately affected by diesel price hike as 40 per cent of the irrigation pumps are run by electricity.   The minister further said that if the price of diesel falls in the international market Bangladesh government will also reduce it. On the outcome of the visits he said the Dutch government has assured to provide necessary assistance to Bangladesh in producing high yielding variety of onion. “There is problem in the country to preserve onion and due to lack of preservation onions are rotting and that’s why the Netherlands will provide technical assistance to us,” he said. The Netherlands will send a trade mission in March next year to discuss support in agriculture sector and expansion of trade relation between the two countries. Read: Agro revolution to be seen in saline areas: Dr Razzaque The mission will provide support in building silos for preserving potato, production of climate-tolerate crops, building green and glass houses, he added. During the UK visit, Bangladesh signed MoU with Food Standard Agency of UK for setting up modern testing labs and developing internationally accepted Phytosanitary certification system in the country, Razzak said. This will help boost Bangladesh’s agro-products to European countries, he said.   He said the government focusing on setting up agro-processing industry aimed at boosting agricultural exports. This will also help raise farmers’ income. 

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque has urged the developed nations to increase investment in developing and least developed countries and boost assistance to ensure global food security.

Trucks carrying 112 metric tonnes of rice from India entered into Bangladesh through the Hili land port on Saturday afternoon.

To cushion the effects of Covid-19 and bring the economy back to life, the government has announced 21 stimulus packages of over Tk1.21 lakh crore so far.

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday said 75 percent Boro paddy in the country’s vulnerable areas, including Sunamganj, have been harvested.

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Saturday said farmers in haor areas have already harvested 44 percent paddy from the field.

Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Friday said the quality education is improving in Bangladesh.

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Sunday urged the authorities concern to put emphasis on increasing lentil and oil production in the country.

Voicing concern over the emerging challenges of food security and nutrition, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday said his government is firmly committed to ensuring safe food for all.