Farm exports could support BoP-inclusive growth: Experts

Agribusiness has the potential in the context of BoP (Balance of Payment) inclusive growth of the country where export will play the instrumental role, experts at a roundtable on Monday said.
The experts at the roundtable on "Rethinking agriculture and agribusiness: how may BoP inclusive growth agenda be advanced ensuring consumer safety?" also said that farmers' returns should be ensured to promote commercial agriculture.
The programme was held at the National Press Club in the city organised jointly by Centre for Development and Competitive Strategies (CDCS), Bangladesh Safe Agro-Foods Efforts (BSAFE) Foundation and Alliance, a platform of environment professionals.
The speakers said that it is necessary to make the environment friendly for the agribusiness sector to help boost farm production and promote marketing.
Dr Asaduzzaman, Research Fellow at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies chaired the programme where Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) director general Dr Rafiqul Islam Mondal, FAO representative Dr Wais Kabir, fruit scientist Dr Abdur Rahim, safe food activist Dr Rezaul Karim, head of the Seed Wing under the ministry of agriculture Anwar Faruqe, farmer activist and media personality Rezaul Karim Siddique, among others spoke.
Prof Sheikh Morshed Jahan, IBA, Dhaka University presented the keynote paper.
The paper approached five angles, now relevant to agribusiness in the country that includes the transformation of agriculture---from condition to surplus.
Another point is to recognise the emergence of the agribusiness and BoP inclusive growth potential.
While explaining the BoP and agriculture, the paper said that by including both the private and public sectors, agricultural production could be increased by manifold and ensuring quality of the products, export could be boosted.
The paper said agribusiness in the context of BoP inclusive growth could be used as a successful instrument in reducing poverty.
The paper also said that consumer safety and profitable price for farmers--- these two factors are now very much vital for agribusiness.
Prof Jahan, in his paper also said that the Department of Agricultural Marketing Act (DAM Act) should be implemented to safeguard both the farmers and businessmen.
While talking about food safety, BARI director general Dr Mondal said that imported fruits should be avoided to avoid chemical-free intake.
"I myself stopped to eat imported fruits as those are highly toxic. Local seasonal fruits should be eaten," he said.
He also said that alien crops should also be avoided to bypass many criticalities.
Dr Wais Kabir said agribusiness has entered the global mainstream trade a long ago.
"Our agricultural professionals, economists, researchers, businesses and even the farmers have to have basic knowledge on treaties of WTO, SAFTA, SAARC, and so on considering agricultural produces," he said.
Dr Rezaul Karim emphasised on adapting the 'good agricultural practice' (GAP) policy both for ensuring quality and increasing export of farm produces.
"Boost in export can create a great demand for the farmers' products and in that way farmers can get profitable price", Anwar Faruqe said.
He also said that the people should treat 'subsidy' as a profitable 'investment' for the country.
Farm activist Rezaul Karim Siddiqe said the country now exports $600 million worth agricultural produces.
"The export could be increased by manifold if we can introduce organic farming and it is possible," he said.   
Farmer activist and integrated pest management (IPM) expert Matin Shaikat and organic farmer Sanwar Hossain also spoke on the occasion.