Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today stressed the need for stronger pesticide quality control from the source level to ensure safe food production. Speaking at a workshop organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Farmgate, Aminur Rashid highlighted the risks of harmful chemical residues in food due to the application of pesticides shortly before harvesting.
Importance of Strict Quality Control
The minister, who is also the minister for Fisheries and Livestock, said that raising awareness among farmers is not enough. He called for strict quality control measures to be enforced from the stages of pesticide import, registration, quality verification, and landing points. "Producing safe food is the biggest challenge for agriculture in the coming days," he noted.
Global Demand for Quality Food
Aminur Rashid pointed out that the world has a greater demand for quality food. He urged Bangladesh to place special emphasis on producing internationally standard safe food by utilizing its fertile soil, favorable climate, adequate sunlight, and rainfall. He believes that the country's agricultural products have vast potential in the international market.
Modern and Hygienic Packing Systems
Highlighting the potential of agricultural products, Aminur Rashid mentioned the positive results of introducing a modern and hygienic packing system for mango exports from Bangladesh. He suggested that similar measures should be taken for jackfruit, meat, and other agricultural products to increase exports.
Combined Efforts for Safe Food Production
The Agriculture Minister emphasized that the goal of producing safe food can only be achieved through the combined efforts of agricultural researchers, scientists, extension officials, and field-level officials. He also stressed the need for research-based technologies to be delivered to farmers quickly to build a modern, environment-friendly, and sustainable agricultural system.
