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The government is giving the highest priority to developing agriculture-based entrepreneurs, diversifying agricultural products, and promoting research and innovation to build a modern and competitive farm sector, Prime Minister’s Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Sunday.
Speaking as the chief guest at the orientation programme for freshers at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) in Dhaka, Mahdi said the government would provide the necessary infrastructure, administrative support and financial assistance to help students become researchers or entrepreneurs based on their interests and abilities.
He said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working to build a food self-sufficient Bangladesh and expressed hope that SAU teachers, researchers and students would play a key role in achieving that goal.
Highlighting recent policy initiatives, Mahdi said the government had decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including accrued interest, after assuming office. He also said the nationwide rollout of the promised “Farmer Card” programme had begun, enabling farmers to access easier credit, cash assistance, and agricultural inputs such as irrigation services, seeds, fertilisers and machinery at more affordable prices.
Emphasising value addition and diversification, he said increasing production alone would not be enough. Bangladesh must strengthen food preservation, processing and supply chains to reduce waste and improve farmers’ incomes. Processing mangoes into juice or chutney and tomatoes into sauce, he said, could create new export opportunities while ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Mahdi said the government’s objective extends beyond raising agricultural productivity to creating employment through agriculture-based industries and entrepreneurship. He added that research and innovation would be central to making the country’s agriculture more modern and globally competitive.
He also praised SAU students for their role in the July mass uprising, saying today’s students would lead the Bangladesh of tomorrow. The government, he said, remains committed to harnessing their talent, research and innovative capacity to build a prosperous nation founded on equality, human dignity and social justice.