Government working to develop new rice varieties to tackle climate change challenges: Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister

He said these things while talking to journalists after an exchange meeting with officials of all departments/institutions under the Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock ministries at Comilla Circuit House on Saturday.

In response to a question from journalists about fish export, the minister said that the potential of exporting fish through Comilla land port is also being considered seriously. After discussing the matter with the commerce minister, necessary steps will be taken.

He further said that a new salt-tolerant rice variety will be released next year. Scientists of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) are working tirelessly to develop crop varieties suitable for tackling the adverse impacts of climate change.

Replying to a question about fish marketing infrastructure, the minister said the necessity of establishing a fish landing station in the Comilla region will be assessed for feasibility. If suitable government land is found, a decision will be made on setting up the landing station. He said consumers in the country are generally interested in buying freshwater fish fresh. Therefore, alongside preservation systems, the government is also emphasising building modern marketing infrastructure.

Regarding vaccine production in the livestock sector, the minister said a large project is being undertaken to expand the existing vaccine production centre. Once implemented, it will be possible to produce vaccines for poultry as well as livestock on a larger scale in the country. This will reduce import dependence and make the livestock sector stronger.

Regarding the canal re-excavation programme, he said the ongoing canal re-excavation activities under the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant departments are being implemented within the scheduled time. He expressed optimism about achieving 100 percent of the target next year as well.

Regarding the recent flood situation, the minister said seeds and necessary agricultural inputs have been distributed among affected farmers. In addition, free vaccination programmes have been carried out to prevent livestock diseases in flood-affected upazilas so that disease outbreaks can be controlled in the post-flood period.

Present at that time were Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Khorshed Alam, Deputy Commissioner Rozy Akter, Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md. Obaidur Rahman Mandal, Director of the Chattogram Divisional Fisheries Department Md. Anwar Hossain, senior officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Fisheries and Livestock of Comilla region, and leaders of BNP and its associate bodies.