Use of chemicals to fruits punishable offence

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Adviser for Power and Mineral Resources Tapan Chowdhury said Sunday the government is seriously keeping vigilance on the use of chemicals to fruits and other food items in the country, reports BSS.
"Using chemicals to fruits is a punishable offence as these poisonous substances cause numerous health hazards," he said while addressing a seminar at Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) auditorium in the city.
Agriculture Secretary M Abdul Aziz chaired the seminar organised by BARC on 'Cultivation of Fruits for Economic Development and Prosperity' marking the national fruits tree plantation fortnight.
BARC's former research section chief Kamal Uddin and Bangladesh Nursery Association President Giasuddin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
Bangladesh Agricultural University professor Abdur Rahim presented the keynote paper on the occasion.
The contribution of fruits and timber trees to national economy is unlimited, Tapan Chowdhury said, urging all to plant huge numbers of indigenous fruit trees to reduce imports of fruits and thereby save the country's hard earned foreign currency.
We produce sufficient rice and potato but lack in other sectors, the adviser said. He said varieties of fruits and other items are necessary for balanced food.
Other speakers at the seminar said geographically Bangladesh is in a position to export fruits, especially mangoes, to other neighbouring countries if proper steps are taken.
Mango was first cultivated and developed in Bangladesh, then in India and lastly in Pakistan, he said, adding if we can produce surplus mangoes, we can export those to earn foreign currencies.
Later, the adviser inaugurated the national fruits fair on the premises of Krishibid Institution.