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Bangladesh among top 10 countries in fruit production: Minister
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque today said Bangladesh is among the top 10 countries in seasonal fruit production, having the highest fruit production growth in the world.
"Bangladesh has become an instance of success in fruit production in the world. At present, Bangladesh has the highest growth rate in global fruit production," he said.
The agriculture minister was addressing a view-exchange meeting with the journalists at the secretariat here on the occasion of National Fruit Fair-2022.
He said fruit production is increasing by 11.5 percent per year in the country.
"Bangladesh ranks second in jackfruit production in the world, while seventh in mango production, eighth in guava production and 14th in papaya production," he added.
In seasonal fruit production, Razzaque said, Bangladesh has secured a place in the list of top 10 countries in the world.
Noting that Bangladesh has also achieved success in cultivating new fruits, he said mango and jackfruit were the main fruits of this country 20 years ago but currently 72 varieties of fruits are being cultivated in Bangladesh against 56 varieties in the past.
The agriculture minister said fruit production was about one crore tonnes in fiscal 2008-09 but it reached 1.22 crore tonnes now.
Fruit production growth was 22 percent in last 12 years, resulting that the per capita consumption of cereals in the country has decreased and the per capita consumption of fruits has increased, he said.
Razzaque said it was not possible to arrange the National Fruit Fair in the country in the last two years due to coronavirus pandemic.
He said this year, a three-day National Fruit Fair-2022 will begin at Krishibid Institution in the capital on June 16.
The theme of this year's National Fruit Fair-2022 is "Cultivating fruits round the year ensures money & nutrition", Razzaque added.
The fair will remain open from 9 am to 9 pm every day and visitors can buy chemical-free fruits from the fair, he said.
Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam and senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion, reports BSS.