Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has outlined a plan to make Bangladesh self-sufficient in ginger, chilli, tomato, onion and other farm produce now dependent on imports, and to turn agricultural products towards export. He also stressed reducing the indiscriminate use of chemical fertiliser in favour of organic fertiliser to protect soil quality, and effective steps to stop uncontrolled pesticide use on crops.

He was speaking on Wednesday at the first meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Agriculture of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, held at the parliament building and chaired by Md Shahadat Hossain Selim, member for Lakshmipur-1. Deterioration of soil quality was raised as one of agriculture's biggest challenges; the minister said the present government is the first to start work on preserving soil quality, and members urged that inputs be used with soil health in mind rather than by habit.

Timely delivery of fertiliser to farmers was also discussed. The ministry said more fertiliser has reached farmers this year than in previous years, and the minister said an integrated policy on fertiliser-dealer appointment and distribution for 2026 is being implemented to bring transparency to dealer selection; a notice on it was published on the ministry's website on 30 August. The meeting called for stronger monitoring so that farmers get fertiliser at fair prices when they need it, and for a more transparent and accountable distribution system.

On diversification, the committee discussed setting up a flower research centre and a soil research centre at Gadkhali in Jashore, expanding cotton on unused hill and plain land, growing maize, sweet potato and groundnut on char land, and increasing solar power in agriculture, along with sending farmers abroad for advanced training where needed. For jute, it stressed securing farmers' interests from production to market and export, fair prices at farm level and higher exports of jute and jute goods.

Committee chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim said much of the government's success depends on the ministry's work, which must therefore become more dynamic, and called on everyone to work together for a sustainable, environment-friendly agriculture. Members Md Shahidul Islam Babul, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Md Rokon Uddin Babul, Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Mosa Sabira Sultana, Md Golam Rasul and Md Abdul Bari Sardar took part.

Based on Naya Diganta's report. Source: Naya Diganta