Be prepared so that the country does not fall into famine: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

He said this at the 'Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award-1425 and 1426' ceremony yesterday morning. The Prime Minister was virtually involved in the program organized by the Ministry of Agriculture from Gana Bhavan to Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital through video conference.

The Minister of Agriculture Dr. Abdur Razzak, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sh. Rezaul Karim, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry Begum Matia Chowdhury were present. 44 individuals and institutions of the country were given the Bangabandhu Krishi Award. 15 individuals and institutions for 1425 Bangla and 29 for 1426 Bangabandhu Krishi Puraskar for their significant and exemplary contribution in the field of agriculture. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the countrymen to increase agricultural production and said that not even an inch of land should be left uncultivated. He produces what he can. Produced in the home yard, open space. Stating that the government is encouraging farming in various ways, he said, the demand for food will never decrease. Rather, it will increase. Many people will face food shortages due to economic recession ahead. So that we do not have such a situation. Maybe we should send food aid to many countries. We have to work with that in mind.

The Prime Minister said that the father of the nation had a dream that we would be self-sufficient in agriculture. But all the governments before us had one thing that instead of doing this they would trade with some people, import, take help. I am talking about Zia's government, Ershad's government, Khaleda Zia's government. After coming to power in 1996, we realized that we should be self-sufficient in food. He said that there was a flood in the country in 1998. At that time, various institutions, including the World Bank, said that two million people would die of starvation. We said not one will die. 69 days was the flood. We started planting rice seedlings in all the areas where there was no flood. Immediately after the flood water recedes , the seeds are delivered by air force. Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in food for the first time in that year.

Referring to the mentality of the previous governments, the Prime Minister said, many people said that if Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food, food aid will not be available from abroad. Khaleda Jia also said. They thought that if you are self-sufficient you will not get alms. But I think, not begging, we will walk with our heads held high. By producing on our own land, we will be self-reliant. We want to continue with our dignity. He said, if the father of the nation was alive, the country would have progressed long ago. When he returned home after being released from captivity in Pakistan, he did not have a single dollar in reserve money. There was no cash. There was no food. All railway-bridges are destroyed. The whole country is a ruin. However, Bangabandhu's goal was to build a country free from hunger and poverty. He called for a green revolution. Bangabandhu said, not even an inch of land will be left uncultivated. Agriculture is very importantgave He also took initiatives to mechanize agriculture. Targeted threefold increase in agricultural production. Bangabandhu's only goal was the socio-economic development of the people of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said that during Bangabandhu's time, awards were introduced in agriculture. However, with the change of government, the name of the award was changed and the award ended. We come to the government and continue to award again. The head of government said that when I came to the government for the second time in 2009, I started giving loans to farmers without interest through Krishi Bank. Facilitate agricultural loans. The bank will go to the farmer, the farmer does not have to come to the bank, we make this arrangement. He said, research is the biggest thing. When I came to power in 1996, I saw that not a single money was ever given for research. We started allotment. Now we are getting the results of that research. When we formed the government in 2009, Since then, various policies related to agriculture have been formulated and implemented. Continue the subsidy. One crore farmers have bank account with Rs. We deliver their subsidy. The Prime Minister said that the agriculture sector is also being digitized. Hundreds of data centers have been created. Farmers can take pictures on mobile phones and send them to the information center to inform about the problem and get solutions. The Prime Minister urged to increase the production of agricultural products which still have to be imported including onion, edible oil. He said, I have implemented good agricultural practices. The target is fixed by 2024. Earlier there was a crisis with onions. Then we focused on onion production. Now we have occupied the third place in onion production. Let's see how to save it. Edible oil has to be imported. We have to see how we can produce locally. Our soil is so fertile, we need to reduce dependency and stand on our own feet. The agriculture sector is also being digitized. Hundreds of data centers have been created. Farmers can take pictures on mobile phones and send them to the information center to inform about the problem and get solutions. The Prime Minister urged to increase the production of agricultural products which still have to be imported including onion, edible oil. He said, I have implemented good agricultural practices. The target is fixed by 2024. Earlier there was a crisis with onions. Then we focused on onion production. Now we have occupied the third place in onion production. Let's see how to save it. Edible oil has to be imported. We have to see how we can produce locally. Our soil is so fertile, we need to reduce dependency and stand on our own feet. The agriculture sector is also being digitized. Hundreds of data centers have been created. Farmers can take pictures on mobile phones and send them to the information center to inform about the problem and get solutions. The Prime Minister urged to increase the production of agricultural products which still have to be imported including onion, edible oil. He said, I have implemented good agricultural practices. The target is fixed by 2024. Earlier there was a crisis with onions. Then we focused on onion production. Now we have occupied the third place in onion production. Let's see how to save it. Edible oil has to be imported. We have to see how we can produce locally. Our soil is so fertile, we need to reduce dependency and stand on our own feet. Prime Minister urged to increase their production. He said, I have implemented good agricultural practices. The target is fixed by 2024. Earlier there was a crisis with onions. Then we focused on onion production. Now we have occupied the third place in onion production. Let's see how to save it. Edible oil has to be imported. We have to see how we can produce locally. Our soil is so fertile, we need to reduce dependency and stand on our own feet. Prime Minister urged to increase their production. He said, I have implemented good agricultural practices. The target is fixed by 2024. Earlier there was a crisis with onions. Then we focused on onion production. Now we have occupied the third place in onion production. Let's see how to save it. Edible oil has to be imported. We have to see how we can produce locally. Our soil is so fertile, we need to reduce dependency and stand on our own feet.

The Prime Minister said, I have made 100 industrial zones, special economic zones. The agricultural land should not be wasted. We can set up agricultural or food processing factories in these economic zones. Thinking about region wise conservation of agricultural produce. The conservatory should be built in the region where the crop is being produced the most. In industrial areas, separate plots can be kept separately. I will fund it. He said that due to the Ukraine-Russia war and sanctions, the prices of various products have increased. We have to buy many things from outside. However, we have agreements with many countries to bring products. As commodity prices have increased, so have transportation costs. However, we are giving subsidy to farmers.

Referring to the recent visit to the United States and the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister said, one concern among all is that famine and food shortage may occur in 2023. This should not happen in Bangladesh. We have to produce food. This battle doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Stop the war, I have made this appeal at the international level. Encouraging the people to take corona vaccination, the prime minister said that when the next winter season comes, there will be no outbreak of corona again. Everyone should take the vaccine. We are also vaccinating children.

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