Dhaka: Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today sought Japanese assistance in producing Japanese sticky rice in Bangladesh. “If Japan is interested, large-scale organic agricultural production can be carried out there for export . . . Bangladesh is interested in producing Japanese sticky rice,” the minister told the Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka, Saida Shinichi, during a courtesy call at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agriculture minister also sought Japan’s technical cooperation in export-oriented Eel (cuchia) and crab farming in Bangladesh. A press release stated that the discussion also covered various issues related to Bangladesh-Japan relations, agriculture, safe food, and fisheries and livestock sectors.
The minister expressed gratitude towards Japan for its continued cooperation in the agricultural sector, acknowledging the nation as a true friend and long-standing development partner of Bangladesh. Highlighting Japan’s collaboration through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), Rashid noted the similarities between Japan and Bangladesh in agriculture, particularly in rice production.
Rashid urged the ambassador to consider increasing the import of agricultural products from Bangladesh to Japan, pointing out the fertile soil in the river basin chars that holds potential for crops like sweet potatoes. The Japanese ambassador confirmed that Japan is actively working as a development partner through JICA in the agriculture and fisheries sectors of Bangladesh and mentioned the Japanese private sector’s interest in investing in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and food processing sectors in Bangladesh.
Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed was also present during the meeting.