The USA is willing to increase its investment in climate-smart technology in the agriculture and food security sector of Bangladesh.
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently implementing $50 million of capacity development programs in Bangladesh, USDA Bangladesh Mission Chief Megan Francic told in a conference.
She made the remarks at a background briefing for the press on agricultural issues at the American Center on Wednesday.
The USA is always interested to invest in climate-smart agriculture and research and innovation. Women empowerment through agriculture and agri-mechanization and training program are also priority areas for USDA, she added.
Megan Francic said FAS links US agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security. The Food for Progress Program of USDA helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors.
“USA also emphasis not to give any restriction on food or agricultural product for ensuring food security.”
Shahanuare Shaid Shahin, general secretary of Bangladesh Agricultural Journalist Forum (BAJF) also the deputy editor of Bonik Barta, vice president of BAJF Yasir Wardad from Financial Express and Reaz Ahmed managing editor of Dhaka Tribune were present at the press briefing.
USDA has Safe Aqua Farming for Economic and Trade Improvement (SAFETI) Project to increase production of farmed shrimp and prawn in Bangladesh to contribute to improving incomes, food security, safety, and environmental sustainability, expand the trade and export value in the shrimp or prawn sector.
It has Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Program that expands regional and international trade in agricultural goods by addressing systematic constraints to agricultural trade; supports Bangladesh to achieve the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, Schedule C measures.
USDA has Bangladesh Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Capacity Building Program to strengthen Bangladesh’s regulatory agencies to implement international regulatory procedures designed to mitigate and manage plant health and food safety risks.
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