Staff reporter:
Food Minister Afroza Khanam yesterday stressed the need for sustainable infrastructure development and long-term storage facilities to increase the country’s foodgrain storage capacity and ensure food security.
“The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to ensure food security and improve the overall quality of life of the people,” she said.
She made the remarks as the chief guest at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Directorate General of Food and the Public Works Department at the Food Department’s conference room here.
The MoU aims to develop foodgrain storage infrastructure, ensure construction quality and enhance the country’s food preservation capacity.
State Minister for Public Administration and Food Abdul Bari and State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahammad Sohel Monzoor attended the programme as special guests.
Afroza Khanam said the ministry had adopted sustainable infrastructure development plans based on projected demand over the next 10 to 15 years. She stressed the need to prioritise storage infrastructure in areas with high foodgrain production.
She also urged the Public Works Department to expedite the renovation and upgrading of existing warehouses and the construction of new storage facilities.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate food reserves to tackle future crises, the minister said international developments, wars and rising fuel prices should be considered in planning the country’s food security measures.
State Minister Abdul Bari said adequate foodgrain reserves and an efficient distribution system were essential pillars of national food security. He emphasised increasing storage capacity, developing infrastructure through proper planning and implementing ongoing projects on time while maintaining construction quality.
State Minister Ahammad Sohel Monzoor said regular maintenance was crucial to ensuring the durability of government infrastructure. He assured that the Public Works Department would continue to support the Directorate General of Food in developing its infrastructure.
He also said a dashboard-based monitoring system had been introduced to reduce delays in project implementation and track work progress.
The speakers expressed hope that coordinated efforts between the two departments would accelerate the construction, renovation and maintenance of food warehouses, reduce foodgrain wastage and strengthen the country’s food security.
At the end of the programme, Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Jasim Uddin Khan and Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department Md Khalequzzaman Chowdhury signed the MoU.
