Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque on Saturday said that the next elections will be held in January 2024, till then BNP's strike, blockade, mass gathering, mass sit-in, human chain and other movements will continue. "But I hope BNP will participate in the elections stopping their game of movements as good senses will prevail upon them by that time," he said. The minister said this while speaking at the 15th horse racing competition organised by Bangabandhu Akashee Club in Tangail's Madhupur. Razzaque, also the presidium member of Awami League (AL) said if the BNP leaders think that the government would fall for their movements and the elections will be held under a neutral caretaker government, it will be unrealistic and unconstitutional. "A fair election will be held on time according to the constitution," the agriculture minister added. Urging all to remain aware in order to protect Bengali traditions, he said horse racing is an important part of our traditional culture. Mentioning that healthy entertainment like horse racing creates much enthusiasm among the people, Razzaque said, "We have to uphold all the folk culture including horse race, boat race and ha du du game(kabaddi)." Among others, Choto Monir, lawmaker from Tangail-2 constituency, Madhupur Upazila Parishad Chairman Sarwar Alam Khan Abu, and Upazila AL President Khandaker Shafi Uddin Mani, spoke on the occasion. Read more: Under the shadow of BNP: Does a political alliance of a number game matter now?

Bangladesh will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iraq to enhance mutual cooperation in the agricultural sector, said Agriculture Minister   Abdur Razzaque on Wednesday. He said, “Iraq imports agricultural products from India and Turkey. The economic situation in Iraq is good now. They have expressed interest in signing a MoU for cooperation in the agricultural sector.” Abdussalam Saddam Mohaisen, the Charge De Affairs of the Embassy of Iraq in Dhaka, has expressed interest in importing mangoes, vegetables and potatoes from Bangladesh. READ: Russia-Ukraine war not to trigger food crisis in Bangladesh: Razzaque At a meeting with Razzaque at the Secretariat, Abdussalam  expressed his interest. He also lauded the success of agricultural development in Bangladesh. The minister said discussions were held on how to further enhance Iraq's bilateral relations with Bangladesh at present. Meanwhile, a delegation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) led by Megan Francic, Agricultural Attaché at the US Embassy in Dhaka, met with the minister. The delegation said the USDA will provide technical and financial assistance to Bangladesh for the construction of cold storage. They will also provide refrigerated vehicles for transporting agricultural products and cold chains in Bangladesh. Razzaque said work is underway to set up a world-class packing house and accredited lab on two acres of land in Purbachal for which a consultant from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has already been hired. “The USDA can assist us in building these packing houses and setting up accredited labs.” The USDA is implementing a $27 million 'Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project'. The four-year project in 2021-25 will mainly work to increase the quality and export of agricultural products in Bangladesh.