The government will take initiatives to increase farmers’ awareness and provide training to control the excessive use of pesticides, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has said.
He said excessive use of pesticides was increasing serious health risks among farmers, including cancer and other physical complications.
The minister made the remarks while chairing the 6th meeting of the governing body of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at the BARC conference room on Thursday.
“Proper use of natural and organic fertilisers can help keep soil, the environment, water and fish safe,” he said.
Amin Ur Rashid said Bangladesh was almost self-sufficient in meat production and stressed the need to expand research activities in the sector. If production could be increased further, Bangladesh would be able to export meat and meat-based products worth billions of dollars in the future, he added.
Highlighting the fisheries sector, the minister said the government was recognising those making significant contributions to freshwater fish production. He added that effective measures, including establishing fish sanctuaries, were being taken to increase and preserve fish from natural sources.
He also expressed concern over the increasing presence of heavy metals in soil, saying research was needed to determine whether groundwater, fertiliser and pesticide use was contributing to the rise.
“The soil pH level in many areas has fallen to between 4.5 and 5, while a pH level above 6.5 is needed for better crop production,” he said.
Improving soil pH above 6.5 would help increase crop yields and ensure safer food production, he said, adding that the agriculture ministry was working on the issue.
The minister also stressed the need to regularly monitor the implementation of decisions taken at policy meetings. He said researchers’ expertise and knowledge should be utilised in the national interest while formulating policies.
He called for making the “Khamari” mobile application more popular to ensure farmers and other beneficiaries receive crop-related services and advice at their doorsteps.
At the meeting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister and co-chairman of the governing body Abdul Awal Mintoo said government institutions were carrying out commendable research activities.
He praised their contributions to developing new varieties and increasing production in agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors.
Mintoo said private research institutions were also making various innovations and stressed the need to consider how those could be utilised for national interests.
The meeting was attended by Narayanganj-5 MP Abul Kalam, reserved women’s seat MP Shirin Sultana, Planning Commission member (secretary) of the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division Mohammad Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor AK Fazlul Huq Bhuiyan, senior government officials, heads of research institutions, university teachers and researchers.
