Another flood likely next month: Agri minister

FE Team | Published: July 14, 2022 23:09:28

Another flood is likely to take place in the country next month, said Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, reports UNB.
The minister said as per the forecast the government has taken measures to face the next flood as a routine work.
He also said his ministry has enough preparation to face natural calamities like floods, drought and cyclones that badly affect agriculture. At the same time, it has stressed the need for cultivation of late varieties of paddy in flood-prone areas.
The agriculture minister came up with the remarks while speaking at a review meeting over (Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the agricultural sector at his office on Thursday.
Agriculture secretary Sayedul Islam presided over the meeting while officials of the ministry, chiefs of various organisations and departments, agriculture entrepreneurs and business representatives were present.
Razzak said agriculture always faces risk of natural calamities. Recent floods in the 12 districts including Sylhet and Sunamganj have severely damaged crops.
He said the government's main target is the commercialisation of agriculture for the benefits of farmers. In this case, cooperation from the industrialists is a must.
"Agricultural machinery are now expensive. Around 90 per cent of agricultural machinery are import-based. We want to make these machinery in the country. PPP can play an important role in this sector," he said.
After the meeting, Razzak told journalists that the government has approved the import of rice to stabilise the prices of this staple.