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The food value chain is very important in agriculture. However, for this, the farmers have to ensure a fair price for their produce. Besides, it is important to ensure modern technology and infrastructure for diversification of agricultural products. Business entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders demanded the creation of an online platform for simultaneous production and marketing of agricultural products. It also called for enhancing the coordination of agro-industry, education and research activities, encouraging private sector and foreign investment in innovation and creation of new markets.
This was suggested by the speakers at a webinar titled 'Food Value Chain in the Post-COVID-19' organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Sunday (November 8, 2020). Agriculture Minister Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzak joined the webinar as the chief guest.
Emphasizing on the use of advanced technology and mechanization of agriculture to reduce the cost of modernization in the agriculture sector, the Agriculture Minister said there is a lot of potential for processing of agricultural products in Bangladesh, but in this case the use of advanced technology must be ensured. It is possible to turn the country's agricultural sector into a profitable sector by ensuring value addition of our agricultural products. In addition, agro-based industrialization is needed to increase employment opportunities in the agriculture sector at a higher rate.
Dr. Razzak said that 6 million tons of maize is being produced in Bangladesh every year, but it is possible to deliver such products to the consumers at higher prices through diversification of the products produced from maize, through which our farmers will benefit financially.
To further expand the agro-processing sector, 2 acres of land has been allotted in Purbachal for an agro-processing center and a laboratory of international standard and urged the private sector to come forward to assist the government in this endeavor.
Dr. M Borhan Uddin, Professor, Department of Food Technology and Rural Industry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, delivered the keynote address at the webinar. He said there are basically four issues involved in the agro-based food value chain. These are input, production, processing and ensuring its distribution among consumers. Bangladesh's fisheries sector is one of the largest fish producers in the world and about 42.77 lakh metric tons of fish is being produced in Bangladesh every year, whereas the amount of shrimp production in 2017-18 fiscal year was about 2.54 lakh metric tons.
Shams Mahmud, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said the current government has announced an incentive package of Tk 5,000 crore to continue agricultural production in the Corona situation, as well as 4 per cent interest on agricultural loans Granted, which was highly timely and such initiatives of the government have been considered as appropriate steps for food security in the country.
Source: Online/SZK
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