Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has said that merely increasing food production quantity is not sufficient, emphasising that safe, nutritious, and high-quality food must be ensured considering human health and nutritional needs.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka, on Friday on World Food Day 2026.
The theme for the day this year was “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
Speaking at the event, Rashid noted that alongside global food crises, ensuring food quality and nutrition is becoming increasingly critical. Therefore, alongside boosting agricultural production, special emphasis must be placed on producing safe and nutritious food.
Highlighting global trends, the agriculture minister observed that the dietary habits of the younger generation are changing worldwide, with their interest in vegetables and fruits growing alongside rice.
In this context, changes must be introduced to agricultural production patterns and planning to expand the supply of nutrient-rich food.
Expressing concern over the harmful effects of pesticides and heavy metals in farming, the minister pointed out that excessive pesticides are frequently applied to crops in pursuit of higher yields.
As a result, the risk of food contamination increases, which can severely impact public health. To address this situation, he stressed the need to raise awareness among farmers alongside strengthening safe food production systems.
Rashid further said that the government is actively working to protect farmers and ensure fair prices for their produce. He added that initiatives are underway to build data-driven planning and effective management systems to determine seasonal crop yields and market demand, thereby enabling better co-ordination between agricultural production and the market.
Expressing optimism about the future of the sector, the minister noted that interest in agriculture is growing among the youth.
Rashid noted that utilising modern technology, research, and innovation can transform agriculture into a more productive, profitable, and sustainable sector.
The programme was presided over by Md Selim Khan, secretary to the Agriculture Ministry. Khondoker Md Iftekharuddaula, chief scientific officer and head of the Plant Breeding Division at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), presented the keynote paper at the event.
