To achieve the desired productivity in agriculture, the farmers and analysts of the agricultural sector have given special importance to the availability of improved varieties of seeds, high-yielding and climate-tolerant varieties of food innovation process and research. Besides, they have emphasized on mechanization of agriculture, establishment of specialized cold storage, improved supply system and processing of agricultural products to reduce the cost of production.
The negotiators discussed the issues in a meeting of the standing committee on agriculture, agro-processing and agro-based industries at FBCCI’s Motijheel office on Wednesday (March 20).
Addressing the chief guest at the meeting, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam said that the most important thing in the development of agriculture is quality and advanced varieties of seeds. We need to focus on research to improve seed quality. Also, more attention should be paid to the use of technology. As technology improves in agriculture, production will increase. He laid special importance on building a cool-chain network across the country to prevent wastage of agricultural products at various stages from production to marketing.
FBCCI President called for a change in the mentality of the farmers not to belittle them and said that the farmers should get fair price for the products. Policies should be implemented to protect their interests.
Senior Vice President of FBCCI urged to adopt short, medium and long-term plans focused on agriculture to ensure sustainable development. Amin Helali.
Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman of the committee and chairman of PRAN-RFL Group, highlighted the importance of ensuring maximum utilization of agricultural land and increasing productivity, keeping in mind future food security and increasing demand. He suggested to focus on increasing the production of crops like horticulture, fisheries, livestock, poultry along with pulses and oilseeds in addition to traditional crops.
FBCCI panel advisor and prominent media personality Shaikh Siraj said it is necessary to develop a crop calendar in the country to increase agricultural productivity and ensure farmers get fair prices. Advising the formation of farmers’ associations to identify and solve the problems of farmers, he said, it is important to take public-private coordinated initiatives to implement compliance and GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) in value addition, processing and export expansion of agricultural products.
Director-in-charge of the committee and director of FBCCI, Mohammad Ishaqul Hossain Sweet called for specific suggestions and recommendations in written form to the committee members to find solutions to the challenges and solutions of the agricultural sector.
The co-chairman and members of the committee advised to build an accurate and integrated database of demand, production and stock of agricultural products by participating in the open discussion. Apart from this, they urged the government to be strict in controlling the stock trade of agricultural products to keep the market stable.
