He made the call while speaking as chief guest at a seminar organized at the Cotton Building in Khamarbari, Dhaka, on the occasion of World Cotton Day.
The minister said that along with ensuring maximum use of the country's limited agricultural land, crop diversification and exports must be increased while continuing food production. In areas where production of conventional food grains is comparatively low, cultivation of alternative crops including cotton can be increased.
He said that since the quality of cotton is good, a long-term and realistic plan is needed by identifying specific areas to increase production. Emphasis must be given to producing more on less land, quality products and reducing production costs through agricultural research and innovation.
Instructing to prepare a detailed master plan to implement the target of raising cotton production to 5 lakh bales by 2030, the minister said that how much land will be brought under cultivation every year, in which areas it will be expanded and how many farmers will be included—these information must be specifically mentioned in the plan.
Directing not to use food grain land for cotton cultivation, he said that chars, saline and low-crop land should be given priority. At the same time, the potential of cultivating other profitable intercrops, including turmeric, with cotton must be utilized.
Highlighting the potential of colored cotton, Amin Ur Rashid said that if naturally colored cotton can be produced, it will be possible to reduce the use of chemical dyes in making cloth. He said necessary steps would be taken after verifying whether such cotton is being produced experimentally or commercially.
Noting that financing will not be a major obstacle to expanding cotton production, he said the Ministry of Agriculture is ready to provide necessary cooperation. However, speed, transparency and accountability must be ensured in implementing the plan.
The seminar was presided over by Executive Director of Cotton Development Board Md. Rezaul Amin. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Salim Khan was special guest. Professor and Secretary General of Bangladesh Agricultural Economists Association, Professor ASM Golam Hafiz of Bangladesh Agricultural University, was present as honorary guest.
