Country has surplus fertiliser stock: Agriculture minister

MUNSHIGANJ, Aug 27: The country has several times more fertiliser in stock than the current market demand, said Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid.

He also expressed hope that agricultural products could become Bangladesh’s leading export item in the future.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a training programme for beneficiaries under the Integrated Livestock Development Project for riverine char areas in Gazaria Upazila of the district on Wednesday. 

The project is also being implemented in Manikganj, Dhaka, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts. 

The government is working to increase agricultural production while ensuring fair prices for farmers, he said.

“Steps will be taken to strengthen storage facilities so that farmers are not forced to sell their produce at low prices during the harvest season,” Amin Ur Rashid said.

He added that the government was taking an initiative to establish mini cold-storage facilities across the country to this end.

“Bangladesh has huge potential in agricultural products. With proper planning, modern technology and adequate storage facilities, agricultural products could become the country’s leading export item in the future,” the minister said.

After the programme, the minister distributed mother cows, heifers and granular feed among the trainees.

Later, he released fish fry into a canal of the Fuldi River in the Mathabhanga area of Gazaria under the revenue budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Syeda Nurmahal Ashrafi chaired the programme.

Among others, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Munshiganj-3 MP Kamruzzaman Ratan, Munshiganj Superintendent of Police Md Menhazul Alam, Agriculture Ministry Additional Director Golam Mostafa Khan, and officials of the upazila livestock office and veterinary hospital were present.