August 20, 2010

Bangladesh seeks EU guidance to market agri products

Bangladesh's Food Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque sought cooperation from the EU in marketing the country's farm products to the EU market.

"Marketing of agricultural products is the big problem. The EU can guide us on how we can send our products to the EU market," he said while addressing a workshop at IDB Bhaban in the city Tuesday (Aug 17).

Practical Action, a non-government development organisation, with financial support from the EU organised the National Level Inception and Sharing Workshop titled "Making agriculture and market systems work for landless, marginal and smallholder farmers in Bangladesh."

Dr Razzaque said Bangladesh has reduced the import duty on goods including milk products. Following that, import of powder milk has jumped costing BDT1,000 crore (US$144.4 million) to the exchequer every year.

He lamented that Bangladesh farmers do not get fair price of their products. Milk is sold at BDT30 (US$0.43) per kg in the countryside.

The Food Minister said integrated agriculture projects are required to be taken up by entrepreneurs involving the local people and stakeholders for getting a long-term and sustainable benefit to the farmers.

Dr Razzaque said the agriculture sector has been playing a significant role in the country's economy, contributing more than 22% to the GDP. Referring to the government initiatives, he said emphasis is given for raising cereal production for ensuring food security for 160 million people of the country.