BD outshines many nations in dev indexes, says Hasan

He opens int’l scientific confce

October 20, 2019 00:00:00

CHATTOGRAM, October 19 (BSS): Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Saturday Bangladesh has already surpassed many countries in development indexes.

"Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in food production. It will export 0.2 million metric tonnes of food grains in the current fiscal meeting the domestic demand," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of two-day 16th International Scientific Conference on 'Intensification of Livestock and Fisheries for Achieving Food Safety and Nutritional Security: Challenges and Opportunities' organised by Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) on the university campus in the port city.

University Grants Commission (UGC) member Prof Mohammad Sajjad Hossain and Safety Food Authority Chairman Syeda Sarwar Jahan addressed the function as the special guests with CVASU vice chancellor Prof Goutam Buddha Das in the chair.

Dr Hasan said the country's population has increased a lot and farming lands have decreased. But, the country has attained self-sufficiency in food production, he added.

The minister said food safety and nutrition must be ensured to turn the country into a developed one by 2041.

Dr Hasan said earlier the country had to depend on neighbouring countries to meet the demand of sacrificial animals during the Eid-ul-Azha. "Now we have sufficient livestock. It has been possible for newer researches and inventions," he added.

He hoped that the conference participated by scientists, researchers and professionals from home and abroad will create newer areas in knowledge and research.

Appreciating different initiatives of CVASU, the minister urged the CVASU authorities to maintain quality of education.

About 300 participants, including scientists, researchers, educationists, environmentalists, professionals, NGO workers, representatives of development associates and donor agencies from home and abroad including the UK, Malaysia and India are taking part in the conference.