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RAZZAQUE-PLASTIC-RICE
Reports on finding of plastic rice baseless: Razzaque
DHAKA, Feb 6, 2019 (BSS) – Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today termed the news on finding of ‘plastic rice’ in Gaibandha as baseless.
“I talked to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Deputy Director (agriculture) about the matter. They visited the spot. The rice in question has been cooked and also made into puffed rice. Claims about it being plastic rice aren’t realistic,” he told reporters at the Secretariat in the capital after a meeting with US Ambassador Earl R Miller.
The country is now endowed with surplus rice, Razzaque said, adding when farmers are now demanding fair price of rice, where from plastic rice comes?
When asked as the seized rice had been sent to the capital Dhaka for test, he said agriculture experts affiliated with the government examined the product.
“Plastic rice is not possible and it can never be found,” he added.
Bangladesh had attained self-sufficiency in food grains, the minister said, adding “The challenge is how we can supply the people with nutritious food and increase food security”.
Speaking about his meeting with the US Ambassador, Razzaque said, “Eight more laboratories will be built in eight divisions to detect adulteration in food quickly. Trained manpower is required to run the machines in the laboratories. We have sought cooperation from the US in this regard”.
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