BANGLADESH has made spectacular progress in growing rice, our staple food, and attained food autarchy. Besides rice, potato, a common vegetable, is also grown in plenty to fulfill the demand of the people and also export some of its surplus quantity. All credit goes to Agriculture Ministry, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the farmers of the country as a whole.
We can now pay our attention to grow other crops, such as, pulse. Pulse which is a great source of protein, is a common food item for people of the country. We have been importing a few hundred thousand tons of pulses from abroad to cater to the demand of the people in recent years. Such import eats up a large volume of foreign exchange which the country needs for other development purposes. Soil of Bangladesh is suitable to grow different varieties of pluses like Moog, Mashkaly, Orhor, Motor, Kheshari etc. Bangladesh should not encourage production of lentil as it is one of the major causes of acidity, one of the common diseases that people suffer from. Our neighbouring country, India produces 10 to12 varieties of pulses as its people eat pulses regularly. Bangladesh can seek India's co-operation in this regard.
The authorities concerned may choose different geographic areas, suitable for pulse cultivation, including the areas where farmers grow it now. They need to motivate farmers and support them by providing seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and professional advice. It would not be difficult to grow enough pulses to cater to the country's needs.
Md. Ashraf Hossain
120, Middle Bashabo,
Dhaka-1000
- Saturday, 27 April 2024 |
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