Agriculture Minister
Safe food to be ensured for all amid pressure over subsidy
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak MP said that safe food will be ensured for all in the next 3-4 years."It will be possible to ensure safe food for all in the next 3-4 years and the incumbent government is working tirelessly to ensure this,".The minister said this while addressing as the chief guest at the Shadow Parliament on "appropriate steps of the government to ensure safe food" at FDC in Dhaka on Saturday.For ensuring safe food, the government has enacted 'Safe Food Act' and the Safe Food Authority has been formed, he added.
Read: Edible oil price may go up further: Tipu MunshiMentioning that safe food should also be ensured in case of export, the minister further said that efforts are being made to produce safe crops. Production activities have already started in accordance with good agricultural practices.The Minister further said that in order to ensure safe and nutritious food, the income of the common man must also be increased. If income and standard of life cannot cannot be improved, the incidence of adulterated and unsafe food will increase.Therefore, the government is taking and implementing effective initiatives for mechanization, commercialization and processing of agriculture in order to increase the income of the people and improve the living standards of the large rural agricultural population.
Stop trade based money laundering, Agriculture Minister urges customs officials
Agriculture Minister Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday urged customs officials to take steps to prevent money laundering from Bangladesh.
He also emphasized enactment of stricter law like that in South Korea for curbing money laundering.
Read:Benapole Customs falls short of its revenue target again
He said that a lot of money was siphoned off South Korea once which was later stopped due to strict rules and harsher punishment system which can be done in Bangladesh to stop money laundering.
The minister came up with remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a function on the occasion of International Customs Day at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday.
Abdur Razzak said, "A huge amount of money is being siphoned off the country every year through over invoicing (importing goods showing higher prices) and under invoicing. Many people including government officials and businessmen are involved in it.”
The customs department has a big role to play in preventing the money laundering, Razzaque said.
"If we want to become an upper-middle-income country, we have to increase our income. The National Board of Revenue can play a big role for this,” he added.
Highlighting the picture of the country's development, the Agriculture Minister said, "Digital Bangladesh is no longer a dream, it is now a reality. We are far ahead of other countries in implementing the SDG goals.”
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
FBCCI President Jasim Uddin said, “Bangladesh's goal is to become an upper-middle income country by 2031. For this, the per capita income will have to increase to USD $5,500. There is no alternative to industrialisation to achieve this goal.
“In order to increase our exports, we need to diversify our products. For this, the NBR and the private sector have to work together,” FBCCI president said.
Read: BGMEA urges Ctg Customs House to ease procedures for faster release of imported goods
The NBR not only keeps role in revenue collection, the revenue board is making an important contribution to the protection of local industries in the country, said NBR chairmanAbu Hena Md Rahmantul Munim.
Shehzad Munim, Managing Director of British American Tobacco and Russell T. Ahmed, President of BASIS also spoke on the occasion among others.
The keynote paper was presented in the function by NBR Member (Customs Policy) Masood Sadiq.
At the ceremony, Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), 20 customs officials and organizations were given the Certificate of Merit Award by the World Customs Organization.
Fertiliser price manipulators face legal action: Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Tuesday said legal action will be taken against those involved in selling fertilisers at high prices after creating an artificial crisis.
“Legal steps will be taken against those dealers, businessmen and shop owners who are found involved in selling fertilisers at a high price after spreading rumors of a fertilizer crisis as there are plenty of all kinds of fertilisers in the country," he said at a press briefing.
Mobile court drives will be conducted in the boro season if needed, he said.
The press briefing was called to explain the overall situation of fertilisers in the country.
Razzaque said the mobile court drives will be conducted for the next 30-days to control the market.
Read: Onion price will cool down within 15-20 days: Agriculture Minister
“Some 8.32 lakh tonnes of urea fertiliser is in stock against the demand of 3.1 lakh tonnes of urea fertiliser in the current month. Besides, 1.92 lakh tonnes of TSP fertiliser, 5.96 lakh tonnes of DAP and 3.12 lakh tonnes of MOP fertilisers are in stock against the demand,” he said.
“We have taken all-out preparation to ensure fertilisers at the local market as fertilisers are needed in this boro season. So, there will be no crisis of fertilisers,” he added.
Mentioning abnormal price hike of fertilisers in the international market, the minister said the international syndicate is exploiting countries like Bangladesh.
Read: Monga will never return: Agriculture Minister
“We are strictly monitoring it and the field-level workers are active in that case," he said.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, who was present there, urged the farmers not to panic as there is no crisis of fertilisers now.
Contract Farming: Bangladesh looks for signing framework with potential African countries
Bangladesh is looking for ways to sign a framework with potential African countries to explore untapped contract farming opportunities and identify particular countries in Africa for initiating a pilot project.
An inter-ministerial meeting co-chaired by Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaq and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on taking lands one lease in African countries for contract farming by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs was held at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by the Executive Chairman, BIDA, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary), representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce and Foreign Affairs, representatives of the Armed Forces Division, the Prime Minister Office and Bangladesh Bank.
The meeting focused on identifying ways and means for establishing contract farming in African countries by Bangladeshi farmers and entrepreneurs.
The Foreign Minister said by leasing land in the African countries, employment opportunities may be created for a very large number of Bangladeshi workers and farmers.
He suggested that peacekeeping Missions in the African countries may establish contacts with local authorities for contract farming opportunities.
The Foreign Minister also suggested that exchange of training on agriculture may be made with the African countries to make them familiar with our advancements made in the field of agriculture.
Advanced Dutch technology to be used in preserving onions
Advanced Dutch technology and skills will be used to preserve onions to increase their shelf life, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said Saturday.
The minister made the remarks while inspecting Waterman Onions, an onion manufacturing, processing, packaging and exporting company, in the Netherlands.
He said that the Government of Bangladesh is working towards achieving self-sufficiency in onions. During his visit the Minister expressed interest in bringing technology from the Netherlands to enhance improved varieties, production and storage period.
Read: Proposal for duty withdrawal on onion import to be considered: FnM
If there is a shortage of onions in Bangladesh in September-December, importing from the Netherlands can also be considered, he said.
Later, the Minister of Agriculture visited All-round Vegetable Processing, a vegetable processing, storage equipment and agro-equipment manufacturer and marketing company.
Read: Hili onion importers suffer as India bans export
During the visit, the Minister called for setting up industries in Bangladesh through joint ventures. He said Bangladesh has a conducive environment for investment and the government of Bangladesh will provide necessary assistance in this regard.
Monga will never return: Agriculture Minister
Monga will never return to Bangladesh thanks to various steps taken by the current regime, Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque stated Friday.
"If we can distribute early-ripening varieties of Aman paddy which were invented by our scientists in our northern region, monga will not come back in future,” noted the minister.
Abdur Razzaque came up with this remark while virtually addressing a function organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) in Taragonj of Rangpur to mark the harvesting of specimens of BINA-16 and BINA-17 varieties of paddy.
Also read: Food security: 'Money won't be enough if Bangladesh's not self-sufficient
Monga refers to seasonal bouts of poverty and hunger caused by a confluence of natural and social factors unique to Bangladesh. Once an annual or even biannual occurrence affecting mainly northern districts, it has been a number of years since the last recognised monga.
Regarding the new varieties of paddy, the minister also said, ”They have immense potential. On one hand the production is good, on the other hand they ripen in 100 days."
Also read: Transforming agriculture: Bangladesh moving towards high value crops
“We can also produce other crops including potato and mustard after harvesting these new varieties,” he added.
Govt stares at potato glut; plans to boost export
Aiming to give a boost to potato exports, the government has decided to provide all sorts of support for its export and processing as the crop’s annual production surged past one crore metric tonnes in the country.
“Over one crore tonnes of potato are produced annually in Bangladesh. But we need to import potato chips and pringles at high prices. Local firms will have to produce quality chips, pringles and French fry processing potato with added values,” said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday.
The minister said this while addressing a views-exchange at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium over the enhancement of potato-processing.
A commission needed to unmask 15th August masterminds: Dr Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Monday stressed the need for formation of a commission to unmask the masterminds and beneficiaries of the 1975 August 15 massacre.
“The massacres of August 15 (1975) and August 21 (2004) are tied in the same thread. It is needed to unmask the faces of abettors, masterminds and beneficiaries of the August 15 carnage before the nation,” he said while addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote arranged the discussion and doa-mahfil on the occasion of the National Mourning Day, commemorating the martyrs of the 1975 August 15 and the 2004 August 21 carnages.
Also read: August 15 conspirators are still active, says Salman Rahman
Dr Razzaque, also a presidium member of ruling Awami League, said the defeated and anti-liberation forces still want to bring back the trend of Pakistani regime in Bangladesh. So, it is essential to spread the healthy cultural practices among the people massively to counter the rise of anti-liberation forces and militants and fanatics, he said.
He said the first aggression against Bangalis was cultural one soon after the establishment of religion-based Pakistan as the country wanted to establish communal spirit by carrying out aggression on Bangla language, literature and culture.
The minister said BNP established an anti-liberation force and spirit from August 1975 to 1996. The 1975-1996 is a black chapter of the history as the truth was distorted in a well-planned way, anti-liberation forces and communal spirits were established everywhere in the period, he added.
Also read: ‘Want Bangabandhu's killers to be deported to Bangladesh’: FM
Sayeda Rubina Akter Mira MP and AL relief and social welfare affairs secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, among others, spoke at the function presided over by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote President Falguni Hamid.
New mobile app, Sadai, launched to facilitate online marketing of agro products
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday launched a mobile app called “Sadai” for online sale of agricultural goods saying that the country faces a big challenge in marketing the products despite a success in production.
“The production of all agricultural commodities, including rice, wheat, maize, vegetables and fruits has multiplied in the country. An outstanding success has been achieved in the production. But now the biggest challenge is the marketing of these agricultural products,” he said.
Read: Online Eid Fair: UNDP-backed online marketplace teams up with Joyeeta Foundation
The minister made this remarks at his ministry’s conference room after launching a mobile app titled “Sodai” for online selling agricultural products.
The Mobile application is being implemented by the department of agriculture marketing (DAM) with the assistance of the ministry of agriculture.
Read: Buy sacrificial animals from online markets: LGRD Minister
Dr Razzaque said, “In many cases, farmers cannot market their products and don’t get the proper prices.” Alongside ensuring the fair prices for the farmers, it is also essential to assure the consumers of giving safe and adulteration-free products at the proper prices, he added.
He hoped that this mobile app “Sodai” would work to this end reducing the high-handedness of middlemen.
Read Top 5 Mobile Apps for Farmers in Bangladesh
Agriculture Senior Secretary Mesbahul Islam presided over the function, while DAM Director General Mohammed Yousuf and additional secretary at the ministry Hasanuzzaman Kallol spoke on the occasion.
Allocation in budget for agriculture 'enough' for Dr Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Friday said enough allocation was given for the agriculture sector in the proposed national budget of 2021-22 fiscal year.
“I feel no deficit in the allocation to operate our activities. We’ve been given enough allocation,” he said at a virtual post-budget press conference.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also addressed the press conference arranged a day after he placed the proposed budget in Parliament.
The Agriculture Minister said though the allocation for agriculture declined in terms of percentage, it did fall in amount. The amount of agriculture loans was Tk 14,000 crore to Tk 15,000 crore in the past, which has increased at some Tk 22,000 crore in the upcoming fiscal year during the corona-period. And the interest rate of the loans was lowered, he said.
He said the government had given the highest priority to agriculture also during its first tenure after assuming power in 2009.
Also read: New budget unveiled with focus on protecting lives and livelihoods
Abdur Razzaque said the agriculture production has significantly increased. “So, now the goals of the government are to sustain productivity and to boost production further,” he said.
Since Bangladesh attained self-sufficiency in food, now another goal of the government is to expedite agricultural mechanisation and commercialization of agricultural products through promoting food-processing industry in the country, he said.
“The production in all the agricultural sub-sectors went up. Now we’ll go for processing the agricultural products in mills and factories and then supply to local market and export to international market. Such measures have been taken in this budget,” said the Minister.
He said the Agriculture Ministry started implementation of a Tk 3000-crore project for agricultural mechanisation to reduce the production cost amid the high wages of agricultural workers as the farmer don’t make profit in many cases now.
In this budget, Tk 680 crore has been allocated for the project implementation in the upcoming fiscal year, he said.
Also read: New budget: Tracking prices going up and down
“The budgetary allocation for agriculture is good enough. There will be no problem with (this allocation),” he said.
If needed, there is an instruction of the Prime Minister to allocate more funds to agriculture from any other sector except health, said the Agriculture Minister.
Planning Minister MA Mannan, PM’s Economic Affair Dr Mashiur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Senior Secretary of Finance Division Abdur Rouf Talukder, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, among others, spoke at the conference.