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Published on October 21, 2013
The Prime Minister said, "It's the responsibility of the government to make the agricultural components available for farmers. "Why they have to go for agitation or lay down their lives for those items," she asked. As an agro-based country, we have to give more attention to agricultural production to strengthen our economy to live as a dignified nation amongst the world community, she said seeking support of the agricultural scientists in this regard.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the production of food grains has been raised to about 373 lakh MT in 2012-13 fiscal year from 333 lakh MT in 2008-09 fiscal. She said the living standards of the people of the country have been increased over the last few years. Side by side, the level of their intake of protein has also been increased. "We have to take proper steps for fulfilling the protein demand of the people," she said. Saying that the government has finalized the National Agriculture Policy, the Prime Minister said her government would continue giving all support to the farmers including agriculture loan, fertilizer at fair price and subsidy on irrigation as well as making the agricultural component available.
The Prime Minister said after taking office this time, the present government took massive programmes for the development of agriculture. Sheikh Hasina said the government has been providing a huge amount of subsidy to farmers. Around Taka 24,000 crore was given as agricultural subsidy in the last four and a half years, she said.
The Prime Minister said agriculture loan of about Taka 46,000 crore has been disbursed and agri credit is being distributed among the sharecroppers at a very nominal interest. Farmers are enjoying the facilities by opening bank account at only Taka 10. She said 15 wholesale markets and 60 growers' markets were set up in 16 northern districts, while a central market has been established at Gabtoli. The government is working with a goal to reestablish the glory of the country's southern region as "food store".
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