Muhith sees S region master plan vital for food security

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith stressed Sunday implementation of the master plan for agricultural development in the southern region for ensuring future food security of the country, reports BSS.
"As the government of Bangladesh with the technical assistance of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has prepared the master plan for a period of 2013 to 2021, the implementation of the plan is essential for ensuring sustainable food security, poverty reduction and livelihood development for the poor", the minister said.
The finance minister was speaking as chief guest at the presentation ceremony of the Master Plan for Agricultural Development in the Southern Region of Bangladesh at
the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in the city.
The southern region had generally been identified the most disadvantaged area in terms of the adverse impact of climate change and the entire region was beset with problems like frequent occurrence of cyclones, salinity, food insecurity, environmental vulnerability and limited livelihood opportunities, he said.
"Targeted interventions for the economic uplift of the Southern Region are a must", the minister added.
Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury also spoke at the programme as the special guest while ERD secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin presided over.
Terming the plan a time-befitting initiative by the present government, Muhith said despite various limitations and vulnerabilities, the region had considerable potential to improve the productivity with better use of technology and improved management practices.