Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said, “Bangladesh has ensured food security by astonishing not only the world but also the World Food Organization with the innovations of agriculturists and the tireless work of farmers under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protection of agricultural land in the country is essential to keep this security intact.”
Speaking as the guest of honor at a seminar on "Agriculture and Media in Food Security in the Global Situation" at the Krishibid Institution in the capital on Sunday afternoon, Minister Hasan Mahmud said the agricultural land in the country is declining by one per cent every year. Thus, if two lakh acres of agricultural land is lost every year, then in the end there will be no more agricultural land in this country. After 20 years, the population of Bangladesh will increase by 4 crore and 4 million acres of agricultural land will be reduced. Then there is the need for public awareness as to what will happen to the food security of the growing population as well as those who are carrying out various responsibilities in this regard.
Agriculture Secretary Saidul Islam presided over the seminar organized by the Agriculture Information Service. Director of Agricultural Information Service Surjit Saha Roy gave a welcome speech and Professor Emeritus of Bangladesh Agricultural University MA Sattar Mandal presented the keynote address.
Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "When I come up with a proposal to widen a road in Chattogram, I ask them to determine the need to widen the road in the true sense of the word, considering the fact that a lot of agricultural land will be wasted, hills and forests will have to be cut down. At the same time, many lands are left uncultivated, as the wages of agricultural workers do not make much profit in agriculture. The challenge of food security will be easier if agriculture is cultivated on uncultivated land through full mechanization. The media can play a huge role in creating awareness among the people and those responsible for this.”
The minister said Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world in terms of area and has the lowest per capita agricultural land. Storms, floods, tidal surges, and the effects of climate change are commonplace in this country. For all these reasons, ensuring food security in this country is naturally a big challenge. Even then, we are third in rice and freshwater fish production, fourth in vegetable production and seventh in potato production. The media can open new horizons for people. If they raise these issues of agriculture, which are closely related to human life, then the country will benefit and it will be easier to maintain food security.
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said, now there is no big crop in the field. As much damage will be done in this flood, it is possible to compensate. That is why extensive preparations have already been started. As a result, there will be no major damage in this flood.
However, we have allocated enough for this, if there is any major damage The Ministry of Agriculture will extend maximum cooperation to compensate for that, said the Agriculture Minister.
Sheikh Siraj, Channel I Director and Head of News, Riaz Ahmed, Executive Editor of Dhaka Tribune, Kawsar Rahman, Chief Reporter of Daily Janakantha and Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, Special Correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo took part in the discussion.
