Staff Reporter:
Food, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid yesterday said the country’s overall development would be ensured if the agriculture sector is developed.
Around 70-80 percent of the country’s people are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture and BNP has given highest priority to the agriculture sector in the recent election, he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a workshop on the progress of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project as the chief guest at Hotel InterContinental here this afternoon.
His direct involvement with fields and farms has enabled him to observe the real problems of agriculture from close quarters, he said.
Mentioning that Dr Akhtar Hameed Khan, the founder of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), used to show through films how farmers in different countries practice modern farming meth-ods, he said from that time, he developed a deep interest and plans for modernization and development of agriculture.
Amin Ur Rashid said an agriculture card would be introduced very soon. At present, there is a lack of accurate and integrated database of farmers in the country, and introduction of the agriculture card would help obtain authentic data on farmers, he added.
He said despite producing a large quantity of grass in the country, it is necessary to examine why the price of animal feed remains high. Problems would be identified at the field level and practical solutions would be taken so farmers and livestock owners can get feed at fair prices and production costs are re-duced, he said.
State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, MP said the government has taken various effective initiatives to strengthen and sustain the agriculture-based economy.
He said under the leadership of the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, various plans are already being im-plemented to ensure overall progress of the agriculture sector.
Tuku also highlighted that the government has waived agricultural loans amounting to Taka 10,000 crore to support small farmers, which would reduce their financial burden and create new momentum in pro-duction.
Work is also underway to introduce agriculture cards as per the election pledge, which, once implement-ed, would help create a proper database of farmers and make government support programs more effec-tive, he added.
The workshop was told that a total of 475 MVCs (Mobile Veterinary Clinics) have been procured across the country to deliver livestock services at the doorsteps of farmers. These MVCs are currently being used to provide veterinary services in almost all upazila livestock offices, enabling farmers in remote areas to receive quick treatment and advisory services.
Besides, under the LDDP project, activities such as Livestock Farmers Field Schools (LFFS), training programs, vaccination, disease surveillance, artificial insemination and farmer profiling have been strengthened.
At the same time, financial inclusion of farmers has been ensured through opening bank accounts and cooperative savings, linking them with the formal economic system.
Under the project, 135 wet markets have already been constructed and handed over. In addition, con-struction of modern standard district slaughterhouses in 13 district towns is underway, which will further strengthen safe and hygienic meat supply systems.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber chaired the workshop. Director of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project Dr Md Mostafa Kamal presented the keynote paper, while Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian delivered the welcome speech and conducted the open discussion.
Officials of the ministry and the department were present on the occasion.
