Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday proposed formation of an International Seed Bank to avert food crisis in future. She made the proposal when Director General of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Qu Dongyu called on her at her official residence Ganobhaban, according to a release of PM’s press wing. She also told the DG of FAO to form a consolidated fund for taking projects on digitization and innovation and Bangladesh is ready to contribute to it. Read: Hasina focuses on food security as FAO conference opens She recalled her participation in the World Food Summit in November,1996, just after forming her government when Bangladesh was suffering from a severe food shortage. She mentioned that after just two years, Bangladesh became self-sufficient in food production due to her government’s relentless efforts. She reiterated that achieving food security was her first priority as the country was facing various challenges with a huge population and scarcity of cultivable land. Sheikh Hasina said scientists and researchers of Bangladesh are doing a great job in developing different species of crops tolerant to salt, drought and water logging. “After achieving food security, her government is now focusing on ensuring nutrition for all,” she said adding, he has been working to transform the country into a hunger-free, poverty-free one where people will get a better life. She stressed the need for developing food storage capacity and food processing techniques to tackle any possible disaster like the ongoing COVID pandemic. She suggested the Director-General look forward to addressing different issues in a more inclusive and sustainable manner.