Country to export onions after meeting local demand: Minister

The government is planning to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported agricultural products and eventually export onions after meeting domestic demand, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said on Tuesday.

“There was a time when we had to import agricultural products. At least in the case of onions, our dependence on imports has declined. In the future, the next generation will not have to import onions; rather, we will consider exporting onions,” the minister said.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion meeting organised by the Cumilla Metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at the Cumilla Shilpakala Academy on Tuesday, marking the party’s founding anniversary.

The minister said the government was also planning to reduce imports of other agricultural products and eventually export some of them.

He said around 75% of the country’s population was directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, making the economic development of farmers crucial to overall economic growth.

“The government believes that sustainable development of the country is not possible without the development of farmers,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also shared the view.

Rashid said the government was prepared to take necessary measures to improve agriculture and the living standards of farmers.

He said agricultural development was one of the key commitments in the BNP’s election pledges and that the government was implementing various initiatives for farmers’ welfare, including loan waivers and support for agricultural activities.

The minister also highlighted the importance of farmers’ contribution to the national economy and said improving their economic condition would help ensure broader economic development.

At the meeting, he also spoke about the role of the late President Ziaur Rahman, saying his sense of responsibility towards the people, honesty and simple lifestyle could serve as examples for political workers.

He urged BNP leaders and activists to follow Ziaur Rahman’s ideals and work for the welfare of the country and its people.

On democracy, the minister said people were the ultimate holders of power in a democratic state and that the BNP had formed the government through the direct votes of the people.

He said no government in history had been able to remain in power over the people permanently, adding that the people were the true source of state power.