Tk 1.95b project taken to boost fruit production

The government has under taken a project at a cost of Tk1.95 billion to boost the country's fruits production.
Under the project, both indigenous and foreign species of fruits will be produced across the country round the year.
This was revealed at a dissemination workshop on the project styled "Year Round Fruit Production for Nutrition Improvement (YRFPNIP)" held at the Gias Uddin Milky Auditorium in the city organised by the agriculture ministry.   
This government funded project will be implemented between FY'16 to FY'20 by the Horticulture Wing under the ministry.
Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury was present as the chief guest. She said the country has been self-sufficient in cereal crops and is now focussing on other crops.
"We will also be self-sufficient in fruits production within 2021," she said.
The minister said local fruits researchers and scientists will have to put high emphasis on indigenous fruits instead of alien ones as local fruits are easy-to-grow and farmers-friendly.
 She emphasised on development of local germplasm.
"But at a time we will continue our research on foreign fruits also and will 'appropriate' foreign technology," she said.
Project Director of YRFPNIP Mehedi Masud presented the overview of the project which revealed that it will be implemented from July, 2015 to June, 2020 at a cost of Tk 1.95 billion, funded by the government.
Under the project, 60 horticulture centers have already been set up in 45 districts, it said.
A total 362 upazilas will remain under the project net.
A fruit processing center will be set up to explore shipment of value added products and to store produces for off-season.
An urban sale center will also be set up, the paper said.
Foreign fruits like Dragon, Rambutan etc will also be boosted for their market and nutritional value.
Production of dwarf variety of coconut will also be enhanced in costal belts, the paper showed.
The paper said Bangladesh annually produces 4.6 million tonnes of fruits against a demand of 11.68 million---60 per cent deficit.
The project might help achieving self sufficiency in fruits within 2021, Mr Masud said.
Agriculture secretary Shyamal Kanti Ghosh, additional secretary Md Mosarraf Hossain also spoke among others while DAE director General Md Hamidur Rahman presided over.
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