Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday sought cooperation from all to effectively fight the second wave of the Coronavirus that increased infection and death rates recently.
“We just want to say that we can be able to face the situation (arising out of the Corinavirus), InshaAllah. We want help from all to this end,” she said while distributing the “Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Purashkar 1424”.
Joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence, the Prime Minister said all have to remain careful as the second wave of the Covid-19 has started increasing the infection and death rates.
She asked all to maintain health guidelines properly to protect themselves and their families from the claws of the virus.
The Prime Minister simultaneously asked all concerned to give importance on building food and agricultural goods processing industries in 100 economic zones that will immensely contribute to the development of agriculture alongside the industry.
“We are setting up 100 economic zones. We want to prioritize building food and agriculture goods processing industries in the economic zones. Because, it will not only help boost industrial development, but also the agricultural one,” she said.
She stressed the need for continued efforts to increase food production as its demand will definitely increase during the Coronavirus period.
In this regard, she said that if Bangladesh can continue increasing its food production, it can help other countries as that food can be exported to other countries by meeting the local demand.
The Premier however asked all to ensure quality of the produced foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk-egg and fish-meat to export those into foreign countries.
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque and Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim spoke at the function held at the Osmani Smriti Auditorium.
Senior Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Md. Mesbahul Islam gave a welcome address and presented credentials of the award recipients while Maya Rani Baul expressed her feelings about getting the award on behalf of the awardees.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Agriculture Minister distributed the “Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Purashkar 1424” that included five gold medals, nine silver medals and 18 bronze medals among 32 persons and institutes for their contribution to the agriculture.
A video documentary on activities of the Agriculture Ministry was also screened on the occasion.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the covers of an edition comprising one hundred agriculture related comments of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled “Bani Chirosobuj” published by the Agriculture Ministry and a memorial book “Chironjib” at the function.