Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the concerned quarters to give importance to enrich the country's export sector by building agro-processing industries in 100 special economic zones of the country.

He said, "We are allocating huge amount for agriculture and rural development. Now is the age of coronavirus. A farmer can open a bank account for only 10 rupees. At the same time, we have made arrangements so that the money from agricultural inputs goes directly to their bank accounts. '

He made the call while virtually participating in the awarding ceremony of 'Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1424' on Sunday (June 27). The Prime Minister joined the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital from the official residence Ganobhaban.

He said, ‘The Awami League government gives the highest status to the farmers. Not only that, we did not deprive the sharecroppers. I started giving loans to sharecroppers without collateral. The purpose was to enable them to employ all their might in production. Our soil is so fertile that with a little research we can produce any crop. '

Sheikh Hasina said, "Soil research is underway on how to grow crops in fallow land." We have achieved success in research there, ”he said, adding that the government has been able to bring 80,000 hectares of fallow land under cultivation. He also said that many lands are still fallow.

Noting that her government is building 100 special economic zones across the country, the Prime Minister said, "In these 100 economic zones, we want to give importance to the agro-products or food processing industry." Because if we can continue production during this time, we will be able to meet our own needs as well as cooperate with others. We will also be able to increase our exports. '

"We can increase the production of fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, milk and bring it up to international standards so that we can export them abroad," he said. So we have to give importance to processing. '

The Prime Minister further said, "In these 100 special zones, we are giving importance to the development of agro-processing industry, food processing industry, which we can export abroad." He also urged the concerned officials to work towards that.

Sunbd/NJ