DHAKA, Oct 15, 2021 (BSS) - The World Food Day 2021 will be observed in the
country tomorrow as elsewhere in the world with the theme "Our actions are
our future- Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a
better life".

  The Agriculture Ministry and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) will jointly observe the day.

  President M Abul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate
messages on the eve of the day.

  In his message, President Abul Hamid said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was agriculture-friendly and he called for agriculture
revolution in rebuilding the country. He said Bangabandhu ensured
distribution of khas land, fertilisers, pesticides, improved seeds and other
agriculture outputs among the farmers.

  Abul Hamid said the Father of the Nation had dreamt to build a developed,
happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla through rural and agricultural development
and the present government is working relentlessly to materialise his dream.

  He stressed the need for continuing efforts for crop diversification,
optimum use of arable land, agriculture modernisation, innovation of climate-
tolerant crop varieties and sustainable use of technology aiming to boost
crop production in the country.

  In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina termed the theme of the day
"Our actions are our future - Better production, better nutrition, a better
environment and a better life" as appropriate and time-befitting especially
in COVID-19 driven changing situation.

  In continuation of the plans and programmes taken by Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League government was taking and
implementing various agriculture-friendly and realistic initiatives for the
development of agriculture in the last 12 and a half years, she said.

  Since formation of the AL government in 2009, a number of work plans and
initiatives, including the National Agriculture Policy-2018, Delta Plan-2100
and the Food Safety Act, have been taken by the government for the
development of agriculture and welfare of farmers, the premier said.

  She said: "We have taken measures to distribute fertilisers and diesel
among farmers and provide financial assistance to them for mechanisation of
agriculture."

  Initiatives were also taken to ensure distribution of agriculture stimulus,
loans and cards, opening of bank accounts with Taka 10, introduction of e-
agriculture and innovation of climate tolerant varieties and technologies,
Sheikh Hasina said.

  "We have increased allocation further in agriculture research and
education," she added.

   To mark the day, the Agriculture Ministry has taken elaborate programmes,
which include international seminar, mass awareness programme and publication
of special supplements in mainstream newspapers. Posters, billboards, video
messages and documentations also will be published highlighting the
significance of the day.

   An international seminar will be held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel at 10
am tomorrow.

   Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the seminar as the chief
guest through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.