UNB, Dhaka :
Speakers at a discussion here on Monday stressed the importance of building the capacity of public and
private entrepreneurs in production, distribution of mangoes and its preservation system.
They urged the authorities concerned to create an enabling policy environment for safe mango and production marketing as poisonous chemicals are being used in both mango production and its marketing.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in association with USAID’ s Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) Project organised the discussion on ‘Enabling Policy Environment for Safe Mango Marketing’ at DCCI office in the capital.
Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, DCCI president Hossain Khaled, Chief of Party of USAID’s Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) Project William T Levine, USAID director (Economic Growth) Ramona M El Hamzaoui and Prof MA Rahim of Bangladesh Agricultural University, among others, spoke at the discussion.
Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon said the government has established the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority to look into the matter of food adulteration.
“Bangladesh is enjoying demographic dividend of producing a good quantity of
mangoes every year. If we can add value to it, we’ll be able to export mangoes in good quantity.”
He said, the authorities concerned should train mango-growers and educate them about using pesticides.
DCCI president Hossain Khaled underscored the importance of creating awareness among the consumers.
He said, the country’s mango-growers need to learn lessons from the issue of EU’s ban on Indian mangoes to ensure high standards in food production since taste and quality are the key to growing these exports.
William T Levine said the kit normally used in Bangladesh for detecting formalin in fruits is not appropriate as this kit is actually used for detecting formalin in the atmosphere.
He said Bangladesh in 2013 produced mangoes worth $ 1 million. Juicy mangoes of Bangladesh have good demand in the world so the value chain system should be maintained properly.
Using calcium carbide in mangoes or in other fruits is seriously harmful for human health, he said, adding that in terms of food safety, USAID will render its support to Bangladesh. Prof Rahim stressed using natural pesticides, restrict using formalin or calcium carbide, establishing food court to prevent food adulteration.
Speakers at a discussion here on Monday stressed the importance of building the capacity of public and
private entrepreneurs in production, distribution of mangoes and its preservation system.
They urged the authorities concerned to create an enabling policy environment for safe mango and production marketing as poisonous chemicals are being used in both mango production and its marketing.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in association with USAID’ s Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) Project organised the discussion on ‘Enabling Policy Environment for Safe Mango Marketing’ at DCCI office in the capital.
Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, DCCI president Hossain Khaled, Chief of Party of USAID’s Agricultural Value Chain (AVC) Project William T Levine, USAID director (Economic Growth) Ramona M El Hamzaoui and Prof MA Rahim of Bangladesh Agricultural University, among others, spoke at the discussion.
Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon said the government has established the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority to look into the matter of food adulteration.
“Bangladesh is enjoying demographic dividend of producing a good quantity of
mangoes every year. If we can add value to it, we’ll be able to export mangoes in good quantity.”
He said, the authorities concerned should train mango-growers and educate them about using pesticides.
DCCI president Hossain Khaled underscored the importance of creating awareness among the consumers.
He said, the country’s mango-growers need to learn lessons from the issue of EU’s ban on Indian mangoes to ensure high standards in food production since taste and quality are the key to growing these exports.
William T Levine said the kit normally used in Bangladesh for detecting formalin in fruits is not appropriate as this kit is actually used for detecting formalin in the atmosphere.
He said Bangladesh in 2013 produced mangoes worth $ 1 million. Juicy mangoes of Bangladesh have good demand in the world so the value chain system should be maintained properly.
Using calcium carbide in mangoes or in other fruits is seriously harmful for human health, he said, adding that in terms of food safety, USAID will render its support to Bangladesh. Prof Rahim stressed using natural pesticides, restrict using formalin or calcium carbide, establishing food court to prevent food adulteration.
