DHAKA, Dec 5, 2021 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today
said that the government is now working with utmost importance on crop
production in adverse environment and land including coastal saline, haor and
Chittagong Hill Tracts.

   "To ensure sustainable food security for the growing population of the
country, the government is now working with utmost importance on crop
production in adverse environment and land including coastal saline, haor and
Chittagong Hill Tracts," he said.

   The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organized by the
agriculture ministry on the occasion of World Soil Day at a city hotel, a
press release said.

   Soil Resource Development Institute, Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), Practical Action and Soil Science Society of Bangladesh provided
assistance in organizing the event, it added.  

   He said food security has been achieved in the country during the tenure
of the present agri-friendly Awami League government.

   The government is now working tirelessly to ensure the nutritional
security of all people, he said, adding that but with declining cultivable
land, growing populations and the adverse effects of climate change,
maintaining food security is the biggest challenge in the country.

   In order to keep the food production system stable and sustainable,
cultivable varieties and production technologies have to be developed and
disseminated in the saline lands of coastal and southern areas, he added.

   "Our agricultural scientists have been able to develop improved varieties
of salinity tolerant crops. Work is underway to rapidly expand these
varieties and production technologies among farmers," he continued.

   Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin and Senior
Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam were present there
as special guests, among others.

   Later, Soil Care Award-2021, Soil Olympiad and Soil Day awards were
distributed among the winners.