The World Food Day 2021 is being observed in the country today as elsewhere in the world with the theme “Our actions are our future- Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”.
The Agriculture Ministry and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are jointly observing the day.
President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.
In his message, President Abul Hamid said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was agriculture-friendly and he called for agriculture revolution in rebuilding the country.
He said Bangabandhu ensured distribution of khas land, fertilisers, pesticides, improved seeds and other agriculture inputs among the farmers.
Abul Hamid said the Father of the Nation had dreamt to build a developed, happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla through rural and agricultural development and the present government is working relentlessly to materialise his dream.
He stressed the need for continuing efforts for crop diversification, optimum use of arable land, agriculture modernisation, innovation of climate-tolerant crop varieties and sustainable use of technology aiming to boost crop production in the country.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina termed the theme of the day “Our actions are our future – Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life” as appropriate and time-befitting especially in COVID-19 driven changing situation.
In continuation of the plans and programmes taken by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League government was taking and implementing various agriculture-friendly and realistic initiatives for the development of agriculture in the last 12 and a half years, she said.
Since formation of the AL government in 2009, a number of work-plans and initiatives, including the National Agriculture Policy-2018, Delta Plan-2100 and the Food Safety Act, have been taken by the government for the development of agriculture and welfare of farmers, the premier said.
She said: “We have taken measures to distribute fertilisers and diesel among farmers and provide financial assistance to them for mechanisation of agriculture.”
Initiatives were also taken to ensure distribution of agriculture stimulus, loans and cards, opening of bank accounts with Taka 10, introduction of e-agriculture and innovation of climate tolerant varieties and technologies, Sheikh Hasina said.
“We have increased allocation further in agriculture research and education,” she added.
To mark the day, the Agriculture Ministry has taken elaborate programmes, which include international seminar, mass awareness programme and publication of special supplements in mainstream newspapers. Posters, billboards, video messages and documentations also have been published highlighting the significance of the day.
An international seminar will be held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel today morning.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the seminar as the chief guest through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.
