Closed jute mills to be converted into fertiliser warehouses: Agri secy

Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mia said that closed or abandoned jute mills will be converted into fertiliser warehouses. As part of a long-term plan, steps are being taken to enhance fertiliser storage capacity.

Besides, constructing new storage facilities, alternative potential locations are being explored, he said.

This will enable the purchase of fertiliser at lower prices from the global market, potentially saving the country's Tk1,500 crore to Tk2,000 crore annually, he added.

He made these remarks at the closing session of a training programme on agricultural journalism for members of the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in the capital on Monday (20 January).

At least 50 journalists from various media outlets across the country attended the two-day workshop, where Genetic Scientist Abed Chowdhury and BAJF General Secretary Sahanowar Said Shaheen were also present. PIB trainer Shah Alam Saikat moderated it.

The agriculture secretary said that a project to increase fertiliser storage capacity is currently underway. However, in the future, no additional funds will be allocated to agricultural projects unnecessarily. 

"No one can now claim that the country is lacking fertiliser," he said, adding, "There are minor price fluctuations, but those will also be addressed. The interests of farmers will be protected to the highest extent."

He said the development of unnecessary rice varieties is being halted. Instead of focusing on creating new seeds, efforts should be made to increase the production of popular seeds. 

Research institutions have been instructed to ensure that seeds beneficial to farmers are effectively delivered to them, he added.

"There is no benefit in merely increasing the number of varieties if they do not perform well in the field," he added.