DHAKA, Oct 27, 2021 (BSS) - Asian Development Bank (ADB) will enhance 
cooperation in order to strengthen efficiency in irrigation and agricultural 
researches, aiming to develop the farm sector of the country.

   ADB Country Director in Bangladesh Edimon Ginting came with this assurance 
while attending a meeting with Agriculture Minister at the secretariat here 
this morning. 

   "The ADB will provide cooperation in agriculture sector of Bangladesh, 
particularly in agriculture development at coastal zone, Chattogram Hill 
Tracts and Haor region," said Edimon Ginting. 

   Apart from this, ADB will also provide cooperation for development of farm 
commodity export, irrigation efficiency and strengthening farm research, he 
told the meeting.

  As part of the cooperation, $50 million project in agriculture sector aided 
by the ADB is now remaining at the final stage, said a press release. During 
the meeting, the agriculture minister also has sought financial and 
technological support to the Philippines based regional development Bank for 
setting up a modern packing house and modern testing laboratory on two acres 
of land at Purbachal.

  "Although Bangladesh is self-sufficient in cereal food productions...but we 
are in lag behind in commodity export and processing as the country has more 
surplus crops like Mango, Pineapple, Banana, Potato and Vegetables," said the 
agriculture minister. "We need cooperation from the ADB for developing our 
export and processing system of the farm commodities," he added.

  Additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture M Ruhul Amin Talukder, 
Deputy Secretary Farhana Irish, Deputy Country Director of ADB Ziangbo Ning 
ministry officials, among others, attended the meeting.