The National Vegetable Fair 2022 has been inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture Md. Abdur Razzque on Monday.
He inaugurated the three-day fair organized by the Ministry of Agriculture at the premises of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) at Farmgate in the capital.
At that time, the minister said, “We have become self-sufficient in granular food. Now we are working to ensure safe and nutritious food. The present government is working relentlessly to produce vegetables and fruits among the nutritious food. As a result, the production of vegetables has increased seven times in the last 12 years, and at present Bangladesh is in the third place in the world by producing 1.97 crore tonnes of vegetables.
Responding to a question from reporters, the minister said, “There were some problems in marketing of vegetables. There are many problems including transportation extortion, middlemen.
If this problem can be solved, fair price of vegetables will be ensured. The government is working to control the price of vegetables. Our law enforcement, the Ministry of Commerce all have to work so that the price of vegetables is within the purchasing power of the people.”
The minister further said that there is a lot of potential for vegetable export in the country. We are working to increase exports. Soon vegetable exports will become one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings.
During this time, the Minister visited various stalls participating in the fair. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Saidul Islam, Additional Secretary Hasanuzzaman Kallol, BARC Executive Chairman Dr. Sheikh Md. Bakhtiyar, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Benazir Alam, heads of various agencies and officials of different levels were present.
Later, the Minister participated in the seminar on ‘Contribution of Vegetables in Nutrition Security and Transformation of Agriculture’ as the Chief Guest at KIB Auditorium.
At that time, the minister said, ramadan is coming. Vegetable prices are expected to rise.
However, I can assure you that unless there is a natural disaster, the prices of our vegetables will not go up during Ramadan.
Agriculture Secretary Md. Saidul Islam Presided over the programme
The keynote address at the seminar was presented by CSO of Horticultural Research Center (Vegetable Department) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Dr. Ferdousi Islam. Former Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension discussed the main article Md. Abdul Mueed and Cornell International Chairman Dr. Md. Saleh Ahmed.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Agriculture has organized this fair for the 6th time which will continue till March 2. The vegetable fair will run every day from 10 am to 8 pm. Stalls of 52 government and non-government organizations took part in the three-day National Vegetable Fair.
