The private sector needs investment and cooperation to make agriculture profitable in the country - Muhammad Abdur Razzaque

The private sector needs investment and cooperation to make agriculture profitable in the country - Muhammad Abdur Razzaque

The private sector needs investment and cooperation to make agriculture profitable in the country, said Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a virtual discussion titled 'Bangabandhu's Dream: Agricultural Development of Bangladesh in the Last Five Decades' organized by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) 02 September, 2021.

The minister said the agriculture sector will soon be modernized and mechanized as the government has been working to the effect.

But the cooperation of the private sector is needed for the farmers to get a fair price and for adding value to the agricultural products, he said.

"The private sector does not want to invest in agriculture. There is a lot of potential in agriculture and investment is needed here," Razzaque said.

He said the present government is encouraging and cooperating with the private sector in research and investment to make agriculture profitable.

This government has provided 20 per cent incentives to increase exports of agricultural processing and agricultural products, the minister said.

He also called upon the private sector to make full use of this opportunity and assured them of providing more facilities if required.

Prof. Dr. Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor, Sher -E- Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) was present at the webinar as Special Guests.

Prof. Dr. Jahangir Alam, Vice Chancellor, University of Global Village (UGV) presented the key note paper at the webinar.

Lt. Gen M. Harun-Ar-Rashid, Bir Protik (Retd.), Former Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army & Chairman, Governmental  Relation and Advocacy Committee of IBFB and Dr. F. H. Ansary, Managing Director, ACI Agri Business spoke as Designated Discussants.

Mr. M.S. Siddiqui, Legal Economist & Vice President, IBFB delivered the welcome remarks and Ms. Lutfunnisa Saudia Khan, Vice President (Finance), IBFB delivered the vote of thanks at the webinar.

Mr. Humayun Rashid, President, IBFB & Managing Director & CEO, Energypac Power Generation Ltd. was the Chairperson of the webinar.

The webinar was sponsored by Energypac Power Generation Ltd.