Side by side with enormous development in every sector, Bangladesh is marching on its way to achieve agricultural sustainability as food production continues to increase consistently during the last one decade.
Expanded cultivation of high yielding crops, mechanisation of agriculture, adoption of improved technologies and best farm practices, balanced fertilization and expanding irrigation facilities, pest control are major reasons behind boost in food output.
Noted rice scientist Dr Md Abdul Mazid, who got the Independence Award 2018 Medal (food security) this year, said continuous research for innovation and expanded cultivation of high yielding and climate smart crop varieties in profitable cropping patterns could further increase food productivity.
Bangladesh is now producing about 34.8 million metric tonnes of clean rice annually making the country self-reliant on meeting food demand for its 16 crore population, he said.
“The growth in rice production will continue to increase following various pragmatic steps of the government to further enhance its output by almost 1.5 times by 2050 to feed a probable 22-crore population then,” he added.
Dr Mazid, also former chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI, said farmers have started using developed and eco-friendly agricultural technologies and practices almost having no adverse effects on the environment.
“For a sustainable agriculture, we have to ensure effective extension services in farmers’ group approach and improved technologies and proven practices for farmers using video based training to solve common agricultural and natural resource problems,” he added.
Dr Mazid put emphasis on expanded adoption of the resource-conserving technologies and practices like integrated pests and integrated nutrient managements, reduced amount of tillage and agro-forestry for sustainable agriculture.
He stressed reaching quality seed of high yielding crops and transferring technologies for seed production of hybrid crops to farmers’ level along with providing necessary ICT- based training on latest technologies to increase food productivity.
Deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) at its regional office Md Moniruzzaman said food production continues increasing consistently in Rangpur region like elsewhere in the country following various steps of the government.
