The government of Bangladesh has announced its intention to explore rice export opportunities after a year of self-sufficiency without the need for rice imports. This announcement was made by Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, who emphasized the abundance of rice following a successful harvest of the Boro crop and optimistic expectations for the Aman crop.
During a discussion on World Food Day with the theme "water is life, water is food. No one will be left behind," held at the auditorium of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Sadhan Chandra expressed confidence in the country's food security, stating that there is no food shortage or risk of famine.
While celebrating the achievement of self-sufficiency, the minister urged caution among traders and emphasized the need to prioritize consumer interests, particularly regarding the pricing of rice in urban centers like Dhaka, where prices tend to escalate.
Despite the success in rice production, Sadhan Chandra highlighted challenges such as inadequate storage facilities leading to crop wastage, especially for perishable items like mangoes and vegetables. He suggested that focusing on exporting processed mangoes and vegetables could benefit farmers and reduce wastage.
Another concern raised by the minister was the excessive processing of rice, leading to a loss of nutritional value. He advocated for the consumption of red rice, which is nutritionally richer compared to polished rice. Encouraging the adoption of red rice could potentially reduce the commercial demand for polished rice, benefiting public health.
Furthermore, Sadhan Chandra addressed the issue of water usage in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of efficient water management. He called for increased awareness among farmers to prevent water wastage during irrigation, highlighting the need for economic water usage practices.
In summary, Bangladesh's successful rice harvest has prompted the government to consider rice exports, but challenges such as price fluctuations, crop wastage, and water management need to be addressed for sustainable agricultural development and food security in the country.
Please find the original version of the article below:
Govt eyes rice export after self-sufficient year with no imports | The Business Standard (tbsnews.net)
Photo Credit:Representational image. Photo: Noor A Alam
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