Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder has assured that the government has sufficient food grain reserves, eliminating any concerns about food security in the country.
He made these remarks during a meeting with farmers after inspecting the paddy yield of Boro season at Bhatshala Haor, located on the side of the All-Weather Road in Ashtagram of Kishoreganj, on Saturday (April 5).
Majumder highlighted that the government is importing food grains to compensate for the losses incurred during Aman season due to last year’s devastating floods.
He expressed optimism about this year’s agricultural outlook, stating that Bangladesh is poised for a bumper harvest of paddy in Boro season across the country, including in the haor regions.
“If everything proceeds as expected, the country will not only meet its food requirements but also achieve a surplus,” he said.
The adviser emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring fair prices for farmers’ crops, acknowledging their crucial role in feeding the nation’s vast population.
Ali Imam Majumder lauded farmers and agriculturists as the “frontline soldiers of the country’s development.”
He said, “If our farmers thrive, the nation prospers. The crops they grow through their hard work and dedication sustain millions of lives.”
He assured those present that the government is actively working to address key challenges faced by farmers, including irrigation issues in haor areas, the drying up of canals under the guise of fishing, ensuring the availability of fertilisers and seeds, preserving harvested crops, and securing fair market prices for agricultural produce.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Khan, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury, Ashtagram Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Dilshad Jahan, Ashtagram Agriculture Officer Abhijit Sarkar, and other local officials.
The session provided an opportunity for farmers to voice their concerns and share their experiences with policymakers, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing agricultural challenges and ensuring food security for the nation.