Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS) - Agriculture and Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said Bangladesh has made notable progress in the agricultural sector during the tenure of the interim government, with mustard production increasing by an impressive 86 percent.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Khamarbari, Farmgate here.

The event marked the formal handover of 30,000 metric tons of potash fertilizer to Bangladesh by the Russian Federation as a gift under the World Food Programme (WFP). 

The fertilizer was supplied by Russia's leading fertilizer producer, Uralchem.

The adviser said paddy production rose by 6 percent in the 2024-25 fiscal year compared to the average of the previous three years. 

During the same period, potato production increased by 14 percent, onion production by 22 percent, and vegetable production by 3.70 percent.

Highlighting the country's fertilizer reserves, Chowdhury said the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) currently holds 10.35 lakh metric tons of non-urea fertilizers-the highest stock since the organization was established in 1961.

He noted that food and fertilizer supply have become major global challenges due to climate change, volatile international markets, and ongoing global crises, all of which are affecting the agricultural sector worldwide.

"In this context, international cooperation and partnerships are more important than ever," he said, adding that Russia's fertilizer assistance stands as a strong example of constructive global cooperation.

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin attended the programme as a special guest, while Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian presided over the event.