Rice would be imported from other countries on a limited scale if the regular production is hampered to a great extent owing to prolonged floods though there is no scarcity of food in the country at the moment.
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak made the remarks while speaking at a webinar titled “Is Bangladesh going to face any rice shortfall - food security in post-Covid 19”, organised by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), on Sunday.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder was present as the special guest while Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman presided over the seminar.
The minister said, “The ongoing floods have hampered Aus and Aman paddy cultivation. After reviewing the damage caused by the ongoing floods in Aus and Aman production, a decision will be taken to import rice in small quantity if required. If the yield of aman does not turn out to be satisfactory and the flood damage cannot be properly remedied, then the decision to import rice will be taken.”
“All kinds of activities are underway to deal with the damage caused by the ongoing floods in the agriculture sector. Every effort has been made to increase production during the Aman season. Besides, preparations are being made to increase production of all crops in the coming Rabi season so that food security can be ensured by dealing with the adverse effects of coronavirus and ongoing floods”, added the minister.
“Owing to the blow dealt by the pandemic, a good number of international organizations have foretold that many countries are going to face food crisis while they also stated that our country's cultivation rate has increased compared to the previous year”, said Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak.
Agriculture secretary Md Nasiruzzaman said, “The ongoing flood has damaged the production of both Ropa and Bona Aman. However, as the damage was done in seed level, total production will not be disrupted. Steps have been taken to compensate the farmers affected by the floods as well.”
Food Secretary Moshammat Nazmanara Khanum, Emeritus Professor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Abdus Sattar Mandal, former Agriculture Secretary SM Nazmul Islam, former Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md Hamidur Rahman, Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Prof Lutful Hasan, media personality Shykh Seraj and IRRI Country Representative for Bangladesh Homnath Bhandari, among others, delivered speech at the webinar.
