We want to celebrate Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee as a middle income nation: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"Bangladesh is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence in 2021. To celebrate the great occasion, we want to elevate Bangladesh to a middle income country and build as a dignified nation so that none can neglect it by labeling as poverty and natural disaster-prone country," she said.

In this connection, the Prime Minister also said Bangladesh earned independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu. "We want to build Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty free country and none can see the Bangalee nation in the neglected eyes. I think that those who wanted to neglect the country already got a lesson on the issue of Padma Bridge... that lesson we have given and we proved that we can ," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said this while handing over Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Puroshkar 1420 (Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award 1420), the highest state recognition in the agriculture sector, at a function held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here on Thursday morning.

The Ministry of Agriculture arranged the function with Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury in the chair.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Sayedul Haque was present at the function as the special guest, while Agriculture Secretary Shyamol Kanti Ghosh conducted the award-distribution session.

The awards included five gold medals, nine silver medals and 18 bronze medals.

Expressing gratitude to the people for standing beside her at the time of her announcement about constructing the bridge from own funds , the Premier said she received unprecedented response from the countrymen when she made the announcement after donor agencies withdrew financing in this regard with false allegation.

She said the support of the countrymen has strengthened her mental strength to a great extent and the country was able to start the mega project for the support. "So we would never depend on others... Bangladesh is a victorious nation and it will move keeping its head high. We would materialize the dream of Bangabandhu by establishing Bangladesh as hunger and poverty-free country Insha Allah.," she said.

The Premier said Bangladesh has already got international recognition as the country was upgraded to a lower-middle-income country. "But we don't want to remain only as a lower middle income country. We want to establish Bangladesh as a middle income country very fast and we are working with that goal and plan. I believe that the days are not far long that we could achieve that goal," she said.

Putting emphasis on gradual reduction of chemical fertilizers for raising fertility and maintaining quality of the soil, Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned to give attention to sustainable agriculture system.

"The farmers will have to be motivated to use of organic pesticides instead of chemical ones and the cultivation of chemical-free crops will have to be boosted for good health of the people," she said.

Calling for producing planned production of vegetables, Sheikh Hasina said farmers face losses due to unplanned cultivation of vegetables. "It's necessary to produce crops determining the demand and it can be ensured through crop zoning," she observed.

The Prime Minister said underscored the need for changing the food habit of the people for ensuring nutrition for the people. For this, she said, programmes will have to be taken for diversifying the production of agri produces.

Putting emphasis on setting up agro-based mills and factories, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh could fetch more foreign currencies by exporting surplus crops after processing. "It would help farmers get fair prices for their produces," she said.

Noting that her government is setting up 100 economic zones across the country for further industrialization and generating employment, the Premier urged the country's investors to set up agro-based industries in economic zones. She also called upon the exporters to include more agri products in the list of export (goods).

Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned including farmers to give focus on producing other crops like onion, garlic, lentils and spices apart from paddy and wheat.

Pointing out that a special demand for organic food has been created across the globe, she said Bangladesh could exploit this opportunity as the price of organic food is much more than the foods produced through chemical fertilizers.

Mentioning that the country has reached to a stable situation in agriculture, Sheikh Hasina said: "We have to give attention to sustainable agriculture system to retain this success."

The Prime Minister laid stress on expansion of surface irrigation by reducing the use of underground water. "Sparing use of water will have to be ensured as the amount of underground water is limited," she said.

Sheikh Hasina called for undertaking initiatives for expansion of technologies that are consistent with climate change. "Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries. So we will have to remain alert so that our agriculture does not fall in any big crisis due to adverse impact of climate change," she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is now a "role model" in agriculture development. "The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has recently recognized Bangladesh's floating farming system as the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)," she said.

Congratulating the winners of Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Purashkar 1420, the Prime Minister hoped they would inspire others in taking the future agriculture to the desired goal.