The government is seriously considering subsidies to farmers on diesel during Boro season.
If the Russia-Ukraine war does not stop and the price of diesel does not decrease in the international market, the government will definitely do something for the farmers so that the production cost decreases.
Currently, the price of diesel is very high. This will increase the cost of production during Boro season. Like subsidizing fertilizer, diesel will be subsidized in Boro if necessary.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzque said this while speaking as the chief guest at the workshop on ‘Sustainable management of underground water for food security’ in the north-western region of Bangladesh at the BRAC Center in the capital on Thursday. In association with Bangladesh Agricultural University and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of Australia, Institute of Water Modelling organized the workshop.
The minister said, “Due to lack of rain, Aman planting is being disrupted. According to normal rules it was supposed to rain, but it didn't. This is the concern for us. If there is no rain, the production of Aman may be less. On the other hand, farmers often invest in Boro with Aman’s money, purchase fertilizer, diesel and meet other expenses including irrigation costs. Therefore, if aman production is interrupted due to lack of rain, it will affect the farmer.”
The minister also said that we do not want to be dependent on anyone for food. Because, if the price of food increases in the international market or if the market is unstable, there will be no guarantee of getting food even if there is money or dollars. Therefore, we want to be self-sufficient in food. The current government is working for this purpose.
Stating that importance is being laid on developing 'sustainable irrigation management' in food security, the minister said, “We are working on sustainable management of underground and surface water. On the one hand, work is going on to increase the use of surface water for irrigation, on the other hand, the irrigation efficiency is being increased by using underground pipes.”
Deputy High Commissioner of Australia High Commission in Bangladesh Nadria Simpson gave a welcome speech at the event. The CSIRO expert Dr. Mohammad Mainuddin summarized the research while IWM Executive Director Abu Saleh Khan presided over the workshop.
