Govt measures could save Tk 2,000-3,000cr annually on fertiliser

Business Report :

The interim government is pursuing initiatives expected to save Tk 2,000-3,000 crore annually on fertiliser, said Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Agriculture secretary, at a seminar on local farm machinery and agricultural exports held at CIRDAP in Dhaka on Friday. He added that Tk 1,000 crore has already been saved this year.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) to mark its 25th anniversary, also opened a four-day international conference titled “Political Commitment in Agriculture and Food.”

Mian said a 25-year plan to modernise agriculture is being drafted, with the final version expected by December.

He noted that Tk 600 crore from the mechanisation project has already been returned to the government.

Experts highlighted challenges in producing modern farm machinery due to skilled worker shortages, outdated infrastructure, and limited access to advanced equipment.

Md Fazlul Kader of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation said mechanisation and modern technologies are key to reducing costs and increasing revenue.

Arifur Rahman, project director of the Department of Agricultural Extension’s mango export project, noted that Bangladesh now exports mangoes to 38 countries, with imports falling to zero over the past five years.

Expansion into European markets remains possible but is constrained by high transport costs.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, marketing director at PRAN-RFL Group, highlighted that Bangladesh currently captures only $1 billion of the $4 trillion global agro-processing market.

He said regulatory approvals, gaps in product quality, and lack of internationally recognised testing labs hinder exports.

He called for one-stop services, stronger country branding, and improved quality control.

BAJF President Shahanuare Shaid Shahin underlined the importance of political commitment, urging all parties to include clear, long-term agricultural strategies in their election manifestos.