Speakers at a meeting on Wednesday underscored the need for using technology, facilitating quality seeds and implementing modern storage systems to increase agricultural productivity in the country.

They also urged the government to provide improved varieties of seeds to farmers, strengthen the food innovation process for high-yielding and climate-tolerant varieties and conduct research to achieve the desired productivity goal in the sector.

The stakeholders made the remarks while addressing a meeting organized by the Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Standing Committee on Agriculture, agro-processing and agro-based industries held at its Motijheel office in Dhaka.

They have emphasised agricultural mechanisation, the establishment of specialised cold storage facilities, and improved the supply chain and process of agricultural products to reduce production costs.

In his chief guest speech, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam said, “We must put importance on research aimed at enhancing seed quality. Increased productivity can be achieved through the effective adoption of technology in the agricultural sector.”

He also put special importance on building a cool-chain network across the country to prevent wastage of agricultural products at various stages from production to marketing.

The farmers should get fair prices for the agricultural products and policies should be implemented to protect their interests, he said.

Chairman of PRAN-RFL Group, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, emphasised the significance of maximising the utilisation of agricultural land and enhancing productivity, with a focus on future food security and rising demand.

He also underscored the need for increasing production in many sectors like horticulture, fisheries, livestock, poultry and pulses and oilseeds in addition to traditional crops.