The government has taken initiatives to raise maize production to 10 million tonnes within the next five years, said agriculture minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Friday.
"The country has immense potential for maize production. We have invented high yielding variety of maize considering our favourable climate. We are providing modern technology to the farmers that will help boost maize production many times, "he said as the chief guest at a virtual meeting on Friday night.
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI) organised the virtual event.
The minister said there had been a wide range of demand for maize across the globe.
Besides, apart from human consumption, maize is also being used as fodder for fisheries and livestock.
"So, we have taken initiatives to raise maize production," he said.
"If we achieve self-sufficiency in maize production, then it will be possible for us to export it and earn foreign currencies," he said.
Mr Razzaque said due to changing food habit, the demand for wheat is increasing day by day in the country.
But as the country's climate is not favourable "o we are yet to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production," he said.
"Nonetheless, it is possible for us to raise wheat production significantly if we invent high yielding indigenous varieties of wheat," he said.
The country produced 5.4 million tonnes of maize in 2020 against 0.75 million tonnes in 2009.
The annual demand for maize in the country is between 6.5 million tonnes and 7.0 million tonnes.
The country produced over 1.2 millions tonnes of wheat in 2020, according to BWMRI.
Maize, also known as corn, is a food grain first domesticated by indigenous people in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago.
The leafy stalk of the plant produces pollen inflorescences and separate ovuliferous inflorescences called ears that yield kernels or seeds, which are fruits.
High officials of CIMMYT and BWMRI participated in the webinar.
[email protected]
