Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said that in 1974, getting two meals a day was a big challenge for the common people of this country. The development of new Ufshi varieties by agricultural scientists has made it possible to provide food to 18 to 20 crore people at present. Now our food has become diverse. He emphasized on the correct and moderate use of chemical fertilizers at the field level to reduce the import of chemical fertilizers. The Agriculture Secretary said this in his chief guest speech at the seminar titled 'Transforming Bangladesh Agriculture: Outlook 2050' organized by the Ministry of Agriculture at the City Inn Hotel in Shibbari Morse, Khulna on the morning of September 27. Additional Secretary of the PPC Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Md. Mahmudur Rahman presided over the seminar. Lyjbv Divisional Commissioner Rbve †gv. wd‡ivR miKvi and Deputy Commissioner, Khulna Dr. Md. Taufiqur Rahman were present as special guests.

The agricultural sector has been playing a fundamental role in the country's economy, food security and employment. Rapidly growing population, adverse effects of climate change, reduction of arable land, urbanization, water shortage and market uncertainty are becoming major challenges for the future agricultural system. At the same time, technology-based agriculture, smart agricultural machinery, genetic advancement, use of information technology and creation of agricultural entrepreneurs are creating the possibility of taking agriculture to new heights, the Agriculture Secretary said, adding that whether the newly adopted projects are causing any long-term adverse effects on the environment should be brought into this plan. Currently, agricultural development is being determined without any specific goal. He called on all those present to adopt agricultural projects and technologies by determining the position we want to see agriculture in 2050 in advance.

 The seminar was attended by the Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chairman of BADC, Director General of Soil Resources Development Institute, Director, Additional Director, Deputy Director of Agricultural Information Service of the Department of Agricultural Extension, district and upazila level officials of DAE and progressive farmers/farmers. Earlier, on the afternoon of September 26, the Agriculture Secretary inspected the activities of the Horticulture Center and Agricultural Training Institute in Daulatpur, Khulna and later participated in an exchange of views with officials of departments and organizations under the Ministry of Agriculture in the Khulna region.

Correspondent: Sharmina Shamim, Regional Radio Agriculture Officer, Kritsa, Khulna