Bangladesh seeks US technical assistance for food safety, grain storage

Bangladesh has sought technical assistance from the United States to ensure food safety in the country, strengthen quality testing of imported grains and improve long-term grain storage facilities.

Food Minister Afroza Khanam made the request during a courtesy meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at her office at the Secretariat on Sunday.

During the meeting, the food minister sought US expertise to enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to test the quality of imported rice and wheat, particularly at Chattogram and Mongla ports.

She said Bangladesh faces several challenges in storing food grains, especially rice and wheat, over extended periods because of the country’s climatic conditions.

The two sides discussed the scope for utilising US expertise and technology to improve grain preservation techniques and storage management.

In response, the US ambassador thanked the minister and praised her initiatives. He said the possibility of cooperation from US experts in providing technical assistance to ensure food safety would be considered.

The meeting also discussed wheat imports from the United States. Both sides expressed satisfaction that wheat imports were being completed within the stipulated timeframe under the agreement, without any problems.

The food minister also shared her recent experience of visiting a wheat-laden vessel carrying imported US produce at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port.

US Agriculture Attaché Erin Covert, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Jasim Uddin Khan, and senior officials from the Food Ministry and relevant departments were present at the meeting.

The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States in ensuring food safety, testing the quality of imported grains and improving long-term grain storage systems.