Desk Report:
The first meeting of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Agriculture of the 13th National Parliament was held on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) at the National Parliament House, presided over by the Committee Chairman, Md. Shahadat Hossain, MP.
At the beginning of the meeting, following an introductory session involving the Chairman, members, and relevant senior officials, the Ministry of Agriculture provided a brief overview. This included information on the manpower of the Ministry and its affiliated agencies, their functions, the Ministry’s significant achievements, challenges in the agricultural sector, and future plans.
In accordance with the Chairman’s wishes, the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, attended the meeting. In his address, the Minister stated that if agriculture advances, the country advances; if farmers are empowered, the nation becomes strong. He expressed optimism about achieving self-sufficiency in production and boosting exports by reducing import dependency for various agricultural products, such as ginger, chili, tomatoes, and onions. He further noted that this government was the first to initiate work on maintaining soil quality. All those present expressed concern regarding the indiscriminate use of pesticides on soil and crops. Discussions were held on maintaining soil quality by avoiding conventional fertilizer and pesticide application methods and by increasing the use of organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones.
The Ministry of Agriculture reported that a larger quantity of fertilizer has been supplied to farmers this year compared to previous years. The Minister stated that efforts have been made to ensure utmost transparency in the appointment of fertilizer dealers, and to this end, the ‘Policy on Fertilizer Dealer Appointment and Distribution – 2026’ has been issued. The meeting featured detailed discussions on several key issues: strengthening the monitoring system for fertilizer distribution and ensuring farmer-friendly fertilizer management; establishing a flower research center and a soil research center in Gadkhali, Jashore; cultivating cotton on various abandoned lands—including in hilly and plain areas—and growing maize, sweet potatoes, and groundnuts on char lands; utilizing solar power in agriculture; sending farmers abroad for advanced training when necessary; ensuring fair prices for jute at the farmer level; and exporting jute and jute-based products.
The Chairperson stated that much of the government’s success hinges on the performance of the Ministry of Agriculture. He expressed optimism that the Ministry would operate with greater dynamism. He called upon everyone to work together to enhance the government’s image by establishing a sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural system.
Committee members Md. Shahidul Islam MP, Md. Mostafizur Rahman MP, Md. Rokon Uddin Babul MP, Md. Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury MP, Mst. Sabira Sultana MP, Md. Golam Rasul MP, and Md. Abdul Bari Sardar MP participated in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, heads of departments and agencies under the Ministry, other relevant senior officials, and officials from the National Parliament Secretariat.
