The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim on Saturday stressed the need for public-private partnership for ensuring food security in the country.

Speaking at a workshop on 'BRAC in food security: the role of distributor, dealer and farmers' at the BRAC centre here, Karim described food security as a challenging issue in the present global context.

He said private sector should invest in many areas of agriculture sector to increase food production.

Director and Head of News of Channel-i Shykh Seraj and Director General of Seed Wing of Agriculture Ministry Anwar Faruque addressed the workshop as the special guests while Executive Director of BRAC Dr Mahbub Hossain presided.

Programme Manager of BRAC Sudhir Chandranath presented the keynote paper.

Karim said Bangladesh would be worst victim due to climate change. "We should take a long-term plan to face the adverse effect of climate change in the country", he added.

He laid stress on building a sustainable agriculture production system adopting modern technologies to produce high- yielding crops in the shortest possible time for ensuring food security.

The adviser said agriculture production could be increased to a large extent, if supply of high yielding and quality seeds are ensured.

Referring to positive change in agriculture sector, he said numbers of enlightened and industries farmers are increasing in the country. "These farmers should be honored and recognized to inspire others for betterment of our agriculture sector", he added.

The adviser also underscored the need for expansion of vertical crops production as agriculture land is decreasing in the country gradually.

Shykh Seraj said the country could not achieve food sufficiency due to lack of high and tolerable yielding of crops.

Referring to position of the past government on the issue of hybrid yielding, he said country's food production would have to be increased through developing hybrid seeds locally.

Anwar Faruque said both the public and private initiatives are needed to develop hybrid seeds with a view to increasing food production for ensuring food security.

Best farmers, distributors and dealers are awarded at the workshop.