BD seeks IFAD support to boost wheat and edible oil production

Rome, July 25 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought assistance from the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost the production of wheat and edible oil in Bangladesh in order to reduce its dependency on the imports of the two commodities.
The plea for assistance was made when IFAD President Alvaro Lario met the Prime Minister at the FAO headquarters, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after the meeting on Monday.
Sheikh Hasina also asked the IFAD to help Bangladeshi small agro-enterprises in marketing their goods and help the country build an efficient food storage system.
Also on Monday, WFP Executive Director Cindy Hensley McCain met the Prime Minister at the FAO Headquarters.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister asked the World Food Programme (WFP) to raise funds for Bangladesh, particularly displaced Rohingyas who took shelter in Bangladesh, as per capita fund for Rohingya declined to US$8 from US$12.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has successfully raised food production thanks to various steps taken by her government in this field.
Bangladesh is in a good position in producing not only crops but also fish and other foods, she said.