Minister urges litchi preservation, industrial growth, job creation.
Emphasizing effective solutions and research for litchi preservation, Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, MP, today said that Bangladeshi farmers are capable of ensuring food security by leading from the front and overcoming any challenge.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the 'Litchi Festival and Agricultural Trade Fair 2026', organized by the Bangladesh Krishak Samity, at the Mir Kamari Adarsha High School field in Joynagar under Ishwardi Upazila in the district.
The minister said the people of this region of Pabna have a unique, spiritual connection with agriculture.
He assured that a feasibility study would be conducted for litchi preservation and that cold storage facilities would be established if needed.
However, he urged innovators and farmers to find affordable and effective 'home-grown solutions' for litchi, similar to those used for onion storage.
The minister also said he would personally request the Agriculture Minister to undertake the necessary research to prevent litchi rot and increase yield.
Presenting the country’s food production scenario, the minister said Bangladesh currently produces about 40 million tonnes of rice per year and the country is now self-sufficient in onion production.
In addition, about 11.5 million tons of potatoes are produced annually, but a portion is wasted due to lack of proper storage.
He stressed increasing productivity by another 10 percent so that surplus crops can be exported abroad.
Highlighting the importance of industrialization, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that there is currently no vacant space in the Pabna BSCIC estate, so an initiative will be taken to build a new BSCIC industrial city on 200 more acres of land in Pabna to create employment.
He added that under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is working tirelessly to create huge employment opportunities in the shortest possible time.
The programme was presided over by Bangladesh Krishak Samity President Md. Siddiqur Rahman.
Special guests included State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, MP, Advocate Arifa Sultana Ruma, MP, Industry Secretary Obaidur Rahman, BSCIC Chairman Saiful Islam, Pabna District BNP Convener Habibur Rahman, and Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam.
Officials from various government and private offices, farmers, teachers and students were present at the event.
