The Philippines will cooperate in the production of high quality exportable pineapple varieties MD-2, G-Nine Banana, Delmon Tea and Macapuno Coconut in Bangladesh.
A memorandum of understanding will be signed between Bangladesh and the Philippines soon.
This information was given in the meeting between Agriculture Minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzque with Philippine Agriculture Minister William D. Dar before the closing day session of the 36th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka on Friday.
Bangladesh has already started cultivation by importing three lakh pineapple seedlings of MD2 variety from the Philippines. Another four lakh saplings are in the process of being brought. The Minister of Agriculture of the Philippines said that this variety of pineapple saplings will be given to Bangladesh at a lower price than before and on easy terms.
The two ministers also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in agriculture, including the export of delicious G-9 bananas, tea and paddy.
William D. Dar lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the work being done with utmost importance in the development of agriculture in the country. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's political will and commitment to the development of agriculture in Bangladesh is very commendable. Under his leadership, Bangladesh's agriculture, economy and human resources are now in a strong position.
The Agriculture Minister urge the Philippines to import high yielding mango variety and BRRI paddy-89 invented by Bangladesh, and want to know the experience of cultivating golden rice in the Philippines.
The Philippines minister said they had already approved the cultivation of golden rice in the country. Seed production is now underway. They will share their experience and cooperation with Bangladesh in this regard. The Philippines is the only country in the world that has approved the cultivation of golden rice.
Later, Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mithalawe Mahindana Aluthgamej met with Agriculture Minister Md. Abdur Razzque. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister expressed interest in importing potatoes from Bangladesh. At the same time, the Minister of Agriculture of Bangladesh urged to increase mutual cooperation with the Coconut Research Center of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has two memoranda of understanding for cooperation with Bangladesh in the field of agriculture. During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to adopt an action plan for the implementation of the MoU.
The Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture, after exporting tea and cinnamon to Bangladesh, expressed interest in importing Bangladeshi potatoes through a barter system. He said they have a barter system with China.
Bangladesh will consider the possibility of a barter system, said the Minister of Agriculture.