Prime Minister’s Adviser and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the government is giving the highest priority to agriculture-based entrepreneurship, product diversification, research and innovation to build a self-reliant and prosperous Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while addressing an event titled “Agriculture is Culture, Agriculture is Prosperity”, organised as part of the orientation programme for newly admitted students at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU).
Mahdi Amin said the government is committed to creating an environment where students can pursue education and careers according to their merit, talent and interests.
“If anyone wishes to dedicate themselves to research and innovation, the necessary infrastructure, materials and financial support will be provided,” he said.
He added that aspiring entrepreneurs in agriculture and other sectors would also receive the administrative and financial support needed to turn their ideas into successful enterprises.
Role of Agricultural Universities
Expressing confidence in the country’s future agricultural leadership, Mahdi Amin said the teachers, researchers and students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University would play a significant role in achieving the government’s goal of ensuring food self-sufficiency under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Referring to the continuity of the current administration, he noted that only five months had passed since the elected government assumed office.
He said the newly admitted students would complete their four-year academic journey during the tenure of the present government, providing continuity in implementing its development vision.
Improving Farmers’ Livelihoods
The PMO spokesperson said the government is working to improve farmers’ living standards by expanding access to affordable credit through the Farmer Card programme and ensuring that irrigation, quality seeds, fertilisers and agricultural machinery become more accessible and cost-effective.
He stressed that increasing the number of young agricultural entrepreneurs is essential to making Bangladesh more self-sufficient in food production while creating new employment opportunities.
Strengthening Supply Chains and Value Addition
Mahdi Amin highlighted the importance of developing efficient agricultural supply chains and value chains, noting that although many agricultural products are produced in sufficient quantities, prices often rise significantly before reaching consumers, while a considerable portion of produce is lost due to inadequate storage facilities.
He said strengthening local storage, processing and marketing systems would help address these challenges permanently.
According to the PMO adviser, promoting agriculture-based entrepreneurs and establishing modern agricultural markets would ensure fair prices for farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the efficiency of the food supply chain.
He also emphasised the importance of value addition, product diversification and the development of export-oriented agro-based industries to reduce wastage, strengthen agricultural competitiveness and increase Bangladesh’s agricultural exports.
