DHAKA,Bangladesh, Jan 31 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
called upon the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) to expedite research in innovating new fertilizer which have harmless effect on crops as well as on farm land.

The Prime Minister made the call when President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) Dr Amit H Roy paid a courtesy call on her at her office here.

During the meeting, she laid emphasis on cultivating different types of crops on the same land round the year and increasing use of compost fertilizers to give a boost to farm output.

The Prime Minister also laid emphasis on creating awareness
among the farmers against the contaminated fertilizers that cause
harm to the country's farmland.

Later, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed journalists.

The Prime Minister told the IFDC President that her government has taken a massive programme for dredging the country's major rivers to reclaim encroached lands and ensure navigability of the rivers.

Describing her government as farmer-friendly one, Sheikh Hasina said after assuming office it (government) has reduced the prices of fertilizers, provided subsidy to other agricultural inputs, including diesel, and ensured uninterrupted power supply for irrigation purposes to boost production towards ensuring food security.

"The country had a bumper crop production due to our sincere
efforts to this end," she added.

During the meeting, the IFDC President greeted Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina for her winning the prestigious Indira
Gandhi Peace Award and praised her for her able leadership in
running a democratic government.

Ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the
Prime Minister M A Karim, Secretary to the Prime Minister`s
Office Molla Waheeduzzaman and Press Secretary to the Prime
Minister Abul Kalam Azad were present on the occasion.