Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, minister for agriculture and for fisheries and livestock, has called for cotton cultivation to be expanded on chars, salinity-prone areas, drought-prone regions and other land that yields few crops, without disrupting food production. He said specific areas must be identified and a long-term, realistic plan adopted to raise cotton output.
He was speaking as chief guest on Wednesday at a seminar at Tula Bhaban in Khamarbari, Dhaka, to mark World Cotton Day.
The minister said the best use must be made of the country’s limited farmland, and that farm products must be diversified and exports increased while food production is maintained. Where output of conventional food grains is comparatively low, there is scope to grow more cotton and other alternative crops.
He said there was no alternative to agricultural research and innovation. Farming must be made more competitive through higher output from less land, better-quality products and lower production costs. The government is ready to cooperate with the projects and investment needed for research, but projects must aim at effective and profitable production.
On the prospects for coloured cotton, he said that if naturally coloured cotton could be produced, less chemical dye would be needed in making cloth, and there is demand in the world market for environment-friendly, chemical-free products. Whether such cotton is at the experimental stage or being grown commercially will be checked and the necessary steps taken. He expressed interest in visiting the areas concerned.
Ordering a detailed master plan, he said that to meet the goal of raising cotton output to 500,000 bales by 2030, the plan must state specifically how much land will be added each year, in which areas cultivation will be expanded and how many farmers will be involved.
He said food-grain land must not be used for cotton; chars, saline and low-yield land must have priority. The potential of turmeric and other profitable crops as companion crops with cotton should also be used.
He said financing would not be a major obstacle, and the agriculture ministry was ready to give the necessary support, but speed, transparency and accountability must be ensured in carrying out the plan. He urged everyone involved in cotton production and research to work sincerely.
The seminar was chaired by Md Rezaul Amin, executive director of the Cotton Development Board. Agriculture secretary Md Salim Khan was the special guest, and Prof ASM Golam Hafeez of Bangladesh Agricultural University, secretary general of the Bangladesh Agricultural Economists Association, was guest of honour.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report