Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday stressed the need for greater investment in agricultural research to ensure food security for the country’s people.
He made the remarks while addressing an orientation programme for newly admitted students at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in the capital as the chief guest.
Fakhrul said studying agriculture did not necessarily mean graduates should seek government jobs.
“Instead of looking only for employment, graduates should create jobs for others by launching businesses, industries and technology-based ventures linked to agriculture,” he said.
Describing agricultural students as being closely connected to the country’s soil, the minister urged them to move beyond the traditional pursuit of government jobs and establish agro-based industries.
He encouraged the freshers to become entrepreneurs and build careers in agribusiness, agricultural industries and innovative farming initiatives.
“The country’s agriculture sector has enormous potential. Young people can create employment and make a significant contribution to the national economy by becoming entrepreneurs,” he said.
Fakhrul alleged that the government was facing enormous challenges as the country’s economic foundations had been severely weakened during the previous 15 years under what he described as a “fascist government”.
“Institutional structures have also been damaged. The government is working to rebuild the country by overcoming these crises. Our primary objective is to reconstruct the fragile economy and social order,” he said.
The minister said Bangladesh had around 40 million educated unemployed young people, while between 5,00,000 and 6,00,000 applications were submitted for a single job in many cases.
“This problem cannot be solved overnight. We must restructure our system through proper planning and develop a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the economy. The government is now giving the issue the highest priority,” he added.
He said students would face significant challenges as the country continued its reconstruction efforts amid rising unemployment. To address the problem, the government was establishing agricultural hubs in the northern and southern regions of the country, he said.
Fakhrul also said some people had begun criticising the government before it had completed five months in office, despite the country facing multiple crises.
“There are serious shortages of gas, oil and energy. The US-Iran conflict has further intensified the global energy crisis,” he said.
The government was working to promote green energy, which would ultimately benefit farmers, he added.
Speaking at the programme, Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin said Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University had made significant contributions to increasing agricultural production and advancing agricultural research in the country.
He expressed hope that the newly admitted students would play an important role in ensuring food security and building a self-reliant Bangladesh. SAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Abdul Latif presided over the programme.
Madaripur-3 lawmaker Anisur Rahman and reserved-seat MP Sanjida Islam Tulsi were also present.
