Govt works to export surplus food: State Minister Tuku 

TANGAIL, Feb 28: State Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock and Food, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, MP, has said the government is working to make the country self-sufficient in food and to prepare surplus production for export abroad. 

He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing an event distributing free jute seeds, fertilisers, and agricultural tools to small, marginal, and medium farmers under an agricultural incentive program aimed at increasing jute production in the Kharif-1 season.

The event was held on the Tangail Sadar Upazila Parishad premises and organised jointly by the Upazila administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Speaking as the chief guest, the state minister said, a large part of Tangail Sadar falls under char (riverine) areas, and the government is committed to their maximum development. He added that many fallow lands in the chars could be brought under cultivation, benefiting marginal farmers and increasing food supply in surrounding districts.

"Many vegetables produced in char areas are lost due to inadequate storage, causing losses to farmers. We are planning to establish a cold storage facility in some unions of Tangail Sadar to protect crops and ensure fair prices for farmers," the minister said.

Sultan Salauddin Tuku, also BNP's publicity secretary, said, "Along with achieving food self-sufficiency, we will be able to export surplus food abroad, Insha'Allah. Our ongoing activities in the agricultural sector are focused on this goal."

He added that this is the first time irrigation equipment is being distributed in the char areas. Jute seeds and fertilizers have already been distributed, and ample fertilizer stock is available. "We are ensuring proper supervision so that all farmers receive fertilizers without difficulty. The government will continue to take effective measures to support marginal farmers in the future," he said.

The event, chaired by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, was also attended by Ziaur Rahman, Director of the Modern Agricultural Technology Dissemination Project in Char Areas (First Amendment); Ashiq Parvez, Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Office; agricultural expert Nure Alam Siddiqui; and Tangail Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahin Mia, among others.