Bangladesh and Odisha have decided to increase cooperation in the field of agriculture, horticulture and animal resources development.
Agriculture Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Matia Chowdhury, who met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Friday, said there should be greater cooperation between the two in these fields because of similarities in climate and land. Both Bangladesh and Odisha can benefit from the partnership, she said.
Chowdhury said paddy resistant to brackish water developed by Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Odisha will be greatly beneficial for Bangladesh farmers, she said.
Besides, coconut plant of dwarf variety, buffaloes seen in Chilika area and lambs of Balangir and Ganjam districts will also be liked by Bangladeshi farmers. She was also interested to experiment the integrated pisciculture started by Odisha in her country.
The Chief Minister assured the Bangladesh minister of all cooperation from the State Government in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. Chowdhury invited Naveen on behalf of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to her country.
Agriculture Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and senior officials were present at the meeting.
Mishra earlier met Choudhury at the State guest house. Chowdhury was here with a high level delegation from Bangladesh.
Mishra discussed agriculture policy of the State and steps taken by the State Government to increase foodgrain production. As there are similarities in the climate of Odisha and Bangladesh, the two official teams discussed natural calamities faced in their regions and how to tackle them by increasing foodgrain production.
The Bangladesh Minister invited an official delegation from Odisha to visit her country to study cultivation pattern, productivity, land pattern and irrigation facilities.
Agriculture Department Secretary Rangalal Jamuda and senior officials of the department were present. Chowdhury also visited the CRRI in Cuttack.