Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzak on Thursday said the government is trying to export food including rice and potatoes abroad as the country witnessed record rice and vegetable production.“We have taken a decision in principle to expedite food export abroad …and it will take two-three more months time after harvesting the boro crops,” said the minister on behalf of commerce minister Tipu Munshi while responding to a supplementary question placed by Jatiya party lawmaker Mujibul Haq Chunnu on behalf of treasury bench lawmaker Nurunnabi Chowdhury of Bhola-3 at the House.Referring to the record production of the agricultural commodities, Dr Razzak said now the per maund paddy price declined to Taka 600-650 against per maund paddy production cost of Taka 700-750, making the paddy production not cost-effective for the farmers.At present, the country witnessed 1.03 crore tonnes of potato production which is 30 lakh tonnes more production compared to the last year and 1.53 crore tonnes of aman production compared to 1.40 crore tonnes production in the last year.The minister, however, told the Jatiya Sangsad that the country has a scope to export surplus food abroad to overcome the situation, adding that the government is trying to export food abroad.BSS.
