‘Action plan underway to meet 40% edible oil demand locally’
Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque on Sunday said the government is implementing action plan to meet at least 40 percent demand of edible oil locally as local oil production now hovers only 2 lakh tonnes against 20 lakh tonnes of our annual demand.
“The Agriculture Ministry is implementing some sort of definite action plan to meet 40 percent edible oil demand locally in next 3-4 years”, said the minister.
The agriculture minister came up with the expectation while addressing a seminar at a city hotel here this morning.
Bangladeshis consume 20 lakh tonnes of edible oil a year, while the local production hovers around only around 2 lakh tonnes. The imported 18 lakh tonnes of edible oil incorporate 46% soybean and 53% palm oil.
Expressing his grave concern over agricultural credit, Dr Razzaque, also ruling Awami League presidium member, said the government is now providing credit to the farmers with 4 percent interest. He said that but in most of the cases, the farmers face difficulties in fulfilling terms and condition in getting loans.
Bd-pratidin English/Ishrar Tabassum
