Agriculture minister says mismatch of BBS, DAE data perplexes policymakers
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Mismatch of data on crop production between government agencies is creating difficulties for policy makers, said Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Thursday.
He urged the agencies concerned to cross check data to deliver authentic information on crop output.
The minister made the comment while speaking at a week-long workshop on annual research review 2019-20 of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) at its office in Gazipur, said a release.
He said data on crop production delivered by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and Agricultural Department have no similarities.
Dr Razzaque said we need to cross check the statistics provided by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) to see whether the real picture is being reflected or not.
The minister also said the BRRI and other agencies concerned have to work on giving authentic data on crop production which is an integral part for the country's food policy.
However, Abdur Razzaque emphasised raising crop production through adopting innovative modern technologies.
He said population is increasing by at least 2.2 million people every year whereas farm land has been shrinking.
To manage food for additional people we have to double production of crops within 2030, he said.
Dr Razzaque suggested formation of a specialised team to select some best rice varieties developed by BRRI and other agencies and to boost them at field level to attain the country’s production target.
BRRI Director General Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir chaired while State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, Agriculture Secretary Md Mesbahul Islam, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Executive Chairman Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Md Sayedul Islam, DAE DG Md Asadullah, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) DG Md Nazirul Islam, also spoke, among others.
Director Research of BRRI Dr Krishna Pada Halder presented the keynote.