Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque on Sunday called upon the agricultural scientists, extension workers and officials concerned to increase rice production to meet the growing demand of the country. 

"Country's annual rice production is not enough to meet the demand of local people....we have to increase rise production for achieving self-sufficiency in food production," he said.

"We need to achieve self-sufficiency in food production in order to curb rice import to meet demand of the staple food," said the minster.

Project Directors including different body chiefs and senior ministry officials, among others, attended the meeting.

Calling upon the concerned officials to take massive initiative for raising production of different crops including rice on the saline land of the southern region, Dr Razzaque said "country's saline-prone southern region has huge potential for raising production."

"We have saline-tolerant crop varieties and latest technology, said the minister adding "so, we have to extend production of those varieties to that region." 

Along with innovation of crop and new technology, he said, "We have to keep under consideration how many technologies have been executed in the field level."

Allocation of Taka 660 crore which is topmost during this year has been earmarked for farm mechanization.