Farmgate:Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid has urged for the expansion of cotton cultivation in char, salinity-prone, drought-prone, and other low-crop lands without affecting the country's food production.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rashid emphasized the need to identify specific areas suitable for cotton cultivation and to adopt a long-term, realistic plan to boost production. He made these comments while addressing a seminar at the Cotton Building in Farmgate on World Cotton Day.
The minister highlighted the importance of utilizing the country's limited agricultural land to its fullest, ensuring food production, crop diversification, and increased exports. He pointed out that there is potential to increase the cultivation of alternative crops like cotton in areas where traditional food-grain production is lower.
Rashid also underscored the benefits of producing naturally coloured cotton, which can reduce the need for chemical dyes in the textile industry, in response to the growing global demand for environmentally friendly products. He mentioned that the government would investigate whether naturally coloured cotton is still experimental or commercially produced and will take necessary actions accordingly.
Furthermore, he expressed his intention to visit relevant areas to evaluate the situation firsthand. Rashid directed authorities to develop a comprehensive master plan for expanding cotton cultivation, aiming to increase production to 5 lakh bales by 2030. The plan should detail the annual land allocation for cultivation, new areas for expansion, and the number of farmers to be involved.