SATKHIRA, Jan 8, 2023 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said the country is going to witness a revolution in mustard cultivation as the government is implementing a 3-year roadmap to meet 50 percent demand of edible oil through local production.

In the first year of the 3-year plan, a huge quantity of mustard has been cultivated across the country. The country is going to see a revolution in mustard cultivation. We will be able to save Taka 10,000 crore in edible oil import within next three years," he said.

Razzaque added: "Now we have to meet 90 percent demand of edible oil through import which costs around Taka 25,000 crore yearly."

He was addressing a view-exchange with mustard farmers after visiting a mustard field at Tulshidanga under Kalaroa upazila in Satkhira district in the morning, said a press release of the Agriculture Ministry.

The minister said honeybee farming and production of honey have also increased with the rise of mustard cultivation.

On the other hand, paddy production didn't decrease as mustard has been cultivated in fallow land in the period between Aman and Boro seasons while farmers are also being benefited by getting mustard as additional crop, he said.

He said the government will extend cooperation to farmers so that they can get fair price of mustard.
 
Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Badal Chandra Biswas was present on the occasion.

Later in the afternoon, Razzaque, also Awami League Presidium Member, addressed a public rally at Nalta AMR Degree College ground under Kaliganj upazila as the chief guest.

Nalta Union unit of AL arranged the discussion marking the Victory Day of Democracy.

The minister said BNP's movement has no engagement with people. So, BNP-Jamaat's movement will not bring any result, he added.

He said BNP cannot topple the AL government as AL is a well-organized, strong and public-oriented political party.

About the independence of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the minister said the anti-graft body is working independently and neutrally.

ACC is establishing rule of law by taking measures against corruption, he said.

He said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been sentenced in graft cases and the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman is a fugitive convict. 

ACC took measures against such corrupt persons, he said.

AL Advisory Council Member and local lawmaker Dr AFM Ruhal Haque, Presidium Member Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Organising Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, Health and Population Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Satkhira-2 lawmaker Mir Mostaq Ahmed Rabi, Satkhira-4 lawmaker SM Jaglul Haider, district AL President Fazlul Haque, General Secretary Nazrul Islam, Kaliganj upazila AL President Narim Ali Munshi, General Secretary Enamul Hossain addressed the rally among others.