Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin on Saturday said the government plans to gradually bring all primary school students under a mid-day meal programme to ensure improved nutrition.
Nearly two crore students will receive quality tiffin in phases, he said while speaking at a roundtable in Eskaton Garden. The event was titled “From Genome to Bioeconomy Enhancing Bangladesh’s Biotechnology Capabilities by 2030.”
The government is focusing on developing standard, nutritious and non-perishable food using modern technology-based research, he said.
Mid-day meals remain a key commitment, but currently distributed items such as butter buns and bananas spoil quickly, he said.
“We need cost-effective and longer-lasting food solutions to ensure proper nutrition and reduce wastage,” he added.
He also pointed to gaps in the education system, calling for curriculum reforms to build practical, transferable and technical skills. Stronger collaboration between industry and academia is needed to create jobs in emerging sectors such as biotechnology, he said.
Reducing dependence on imports for vaccines for humans and livestock is also a priority, alongside building a domestic ecosystem, he said.
He called for increased production of crops such as beetroot and mustard using modern agricultural technologies to strengthen food security.
On human resources, he said efforts are underway to turn “brain drain” into “brain circulation” by engaging expatriate researchers through joint initiatives.
He expressed optimism that better use of biotechnology would improve livelihoods and empower people.
The roundtable was also addressed by Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad and University Grants Commission Chairman Mamun Ahmed, among others.
