ZCZC
BSS-35
AGRI-PROGRAMMES-RAZZAK
Govt to make agro-sector vibrant to face any crisis: Razzak
TANGAIL, May 1, 2020 (BSS)- Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak today said the government has taken a full-fledged expanded programmes in agriculture sector to face any possible crisis, including food scarcity, due to Coronavirus pandemic.
“Many countries of the world might face famine if any food crisis occurs due to current Coronavirus epidemic . . . for this, we are taking preparations from now,” he said.
The minister was addressing a function organized by Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) of Madhupur upazila in the district.
Razzak said the government has taken programmes of cultivating Aush, Aman, Robi crops, vegetables, potato and other crops.
Terming the present government as agriculture friendly one, the minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always remains beside the farmers at any natural disaster. For this, the government has taken an initiative to make the agriculture sector mechanized, and all works, including cultivation and harvesting, will be done through machines, he added.
He said machineries and equipment are being brought from abroad for commercialization of the agro-sector and also making it profitable.
The agriculture minister said the government bought only four lakh metric tons of rice last year. The Food Ministry has decided to buy 8 lakh metric tons of rice this year from marginal farmers through lottery system, he added.
He hoped that the farmers will get fair prices of their produces and said the government has taken a project of Taka 3,200 crore.
Razzak said the government has stood beside the farmers during the Coronavirus epidemic. The leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies are harvesting paddy across the country as per the directive of the Premier, he added.
Later, the minister distributed agricultural equipment among the local farmers.
Upazila Parishad Chairman Sarwar Alam Khan, Tangail Zila Parishad Panel Chairman Khandakar Shafi Uddin Moni and Modhupur Municipality Mayor Masud Parvez, among others, were present with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Arifa Zahura in the chair.
BSS/Corr/KC/PSB/KU/1958hrs