'Ensure quality of fruits, vegetables'

They also said proper training of the farmers, government officials, exporters and traders is a must in this regard.

The seminar titled 'Management and Quality Assurance of Fruits and Vegetables - Need for Integrated Approach' was jointly organised by the four organisations of the Ministry of Agriculture--Department of Agricultural Extension (DAM), Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and Department of Agricultural Management (DAM)-- at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in the city yesterday.

The speakers also said though fruits and vegetables are considered as protective food and high value crops, the current production is below the domestic demand.

They also said there is no alternative to production of quality crops to meet the domestic demand and to sustain in the international competitive market.

Invention of new technology and its expansion to the farmers is important in this regard, they added.

AHM Monirul Haque Naqvi, project director of Integrated Quality Horticulture Development Project, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, presented a keynote paper where he pointed out the problems and gave some guidelines.

Inaugurating the seminar as chief guest, Kazi Abdul Kashem, secretary to Ministry of Agriculture, said it is necessary to increase quality production to meet the domestic demand.

He also said, "If we ensure proper training and awareness among the farmers and producers, we will be able to meet the domestic demand and also sustain in the international market."

BADC Chairman Muklesur Rahman, Director General of BARI Dr Md Sahadad Hussain, DAM Director Sirajul Islam and Muhammad Habibur Rahman, Joint Chief of MoA also spoke at the seminar.