Agriculture Minister and Awami League presidium member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque has instructed the agriculture officials to adopt research and action plan to increase production of oilseeds to reduce dependence on edible oil imports.
The directive was given by Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque while addressing a workshop titled 'Recent Achievements and Future Plans of Agricultural Research Foundation' organized by Agricultural Research Foundation at the auditorium of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) here this morning.
He said, "Edible oil imports cost more than 2 billion a year. We have to import 6 to 7 lakh tons of pulses, but a lot of money is going abroad. Pulses and oil crops are being produced in our country in different char areas including Patuakhali. We need to find out where these crops can be grown as additional crops without harming the production of paddy and at the same time increase research.”
He said 90 per cent of edible oil has to be imported. We have to see if we can produce even half of the imports.
It is necessary to determine where the production of mustard can be increased. Extension system needs to be developed so that its production increases rapidly. If this can be done, it will be possible to produce 40% of the demand for edible oil locally in the next 3-4 years.
However, in order to increase the production of these products, good quality research is needed, said Dr Md Abdur Razzaque. He said the government is allocating enough for research. With this money, it will be seen what quality research is being done, in which journals it is being published, whether they are of quality or not. Not only sound education but his alertness and dedication too are most required.
With the example of onion, he said, a few days ago, farmers were not getting price in the onion-filled season. Now the farmers are getting a little price due to a little price increase. Imports have been stopped to get the price to the farmers. Because, if the farmers cannot raise the cost of production, they will not be interested in onion cultivation next year.
Speaking as the special guest on the occasion, Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Saidul Islam said that research in the country is still limited to the government level. Abroad, the government as well as the private sector has a role to play. Research should also be increased in the private sector.
Jiban Krishna Biswas, Executive Director, Agricultural Research Foundation, presented the keynote address at the event, which was presided over by Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiyar, Executive Chairman, BARC.
