DHAKA, Oct 15, 2020 (BSS) – The World Food Day 2020 will be observed in Bangladesh tomorrow as elsewhere in the world with the theme “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future.”
The Agriculture Ministry and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will jointly observe the day.
President M Abul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.
The President in his message said the World Food Day 2020 is being observed this year in a different situation. Terming this year’s theme of the day as time-befitting, the President said Covid-19 pandemic has created a social and economic crisis.
Country’s development activities are going on due to the present government’s effective and planned measures, he said, adding that the agricultural sector is also playing an important role in this situation.
M Abul Hamid laid emphasis on becoming more effortful in tackling the possible food crisis in post-Covid-19 period and said steps need to be taken to ensure production of seasonal crops in every inch of land by using modern technology.
The President also emphasised on changing food habits and stressed the need for including different seasonal fruits, vegetables and selective animal protein in the food menu for better health.
He urged all including the scientists, extension workers and private sector entrepreneurs to innovate effective technology and its expansion to ensure sustainable food security in future. At the same time, necessary attention will have to be given so that farmers can get a fair price of their crops.
In her message Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina termed the theme of the day “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future as appropriate and time-befitting especially in Covid-19 driven changing situation of the world.
She said the government has been able to continue the development progress of the country despite the Covid-19 pandemic as it has taken preparation and all-out measures at the very beginning of this global pandemic.
The government has been able to maintain the agricultural production at a stable level by facing super cyclonic storm Amphan and floods successfully amid the Covcid-19 situation.
“Bangladesh did not face any food crisis as the government has enough stock of food,” she said, adding that the government has taken steps so that an inch of land is not left uncultivated in the country.
She said country’s social and economic sectors witnesses a massive development in the last 11 years of the government. Poverty rate has come down to 20.5 percent and over 97.5 percent people are getting electricity facilities, she said, adding that the present government is taking all necessary steps to maintain the present trend of development.
The premier urged all concerned to expedite efforts to ensure food security and nutritional demand during the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
To mark the day, the agriculture ministry has taken elaborate programmes which include international seminar, mass awareness programme and publication of special supplements in mainstream newspapers. Posters, billboards, video messages and documentations also will be published highlighting the significance of the day.
Besides this, a special issue of monthly ‘Krishi Kotha’ also will be published on the occasion.
An International seminar will be held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel at 10am tomorrow.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the seminar as the chief guest through video conference from her official Ganabhaban residence.