PM stresses agri research to boost food output

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the importance of agricultural research to give a boost to farm output and thus ensure food security in the country, reports UNB. "It's the research that can boost the food production and ensure food security for all," she said when a delegation of Sylhet Agricultural University Teachers' Association, led by its Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Shahid Ullah Talukder, met her at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting. The Prime Minister told the delegation that her government always puts emphasis on research works. She said her previous government (1996-2001) had allocated Tk 120 million (12 crore) for research works while this time Tk 1.0 billion (100 crore) for the same purpose. Hasina said the results of the Tk 120 million allocation during her previous tenure are very much positive and the country is now reaping its outcomes. "To ensure food for all in the country, which is the basic right of people, the government is very much active, and has taken numerous measures in this regard," the Prime Minister said. "The researchers must go for zone-based research to enhance agricultural production," she said adding that every area of the country has its own characteristics. "The researchers need to point out that before going for research." Hasina said her government, during its previous term (1996-2001), made Bangladesh a food surplus country, but the BNP-Jamaat alliance government after 2001 again took the country back to the food deficit era. "This is not a good attitude. This is not possible to take the country forward without ensuring food security," she said. The Prime Minister said her government has already provided different agri-inputs to the farmers at subsidised rates. Hasina also laid emphasis on producing organic food and then exporting those after processing. "This will help earn a good amount of foreign currencies apart from creating jobs for the unemployed youths," she said.