After a long wait, Zillur Rahman was sworn in as the president of Bangladesh on February 12, 2009, a month after the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister (PM) and the new cabinet. A few days later, a grand reception was held at Bangabhaban, where the president and the prime minister were surrounded by all the noted persons of the country.
I went in front of the president and the prime minister and said today is the last day of Magh and it's raining outside. I put the microphone in front of the prime minister and recited the first verse of a popular proverb, "If rain falls at the end of Magh," she instantly recited all the two verses, "If rain falls at the end of Magh. Blessed king's, virtuous land."
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Then I asked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 'It seems the harvest will be good this season, what is your opinion in this regard?"
She said her government will pay special attention to agriculture in future action plan.
I am a person who deeply believes that the country cannot be taken to the desired destination, if water is not given to the root of the farming sector.
Soon after taking office, the inaugural cabinet meeting announced the first gift for the farmers by reducing the fertilisers price, bringing down the price of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) from Tk 90 (USD 0.89) to Tk 22 (USD 0.22) per kilogram (kg) Muriate of Potash (MOP) from Tk 70 (USD 0.69) to Tk 15 (USD 0.15) per kg.
One of my biggest achievements is the prime minister has been constantly supporting the farmers, researchers and the policymakers.
She used to watch Hridoye Mati O Manush on Channel i regularly and was fond of the boat race held in Gopalganj's Ghaghar river. She said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman used to hand over brass pitcher as prize to the winners of the traditional boat race.
I have had the opportunity to talk to the prime minister on several occasions regarding her yard farming in Gono Bhaban premises.
I am looking for the opportunity to record a special programme on her agricultural philosophy and practice. I believe, that occasion will come one day.
According to her election manifesto, "Din Badaler Sanad" (A Charter for Change), she took various steps including subsidies in agricultural mechanisation, opening bank accounts for farmers at Tk 10 (USD 0.09), increasing irrigation facilities and incentives in agriculture.
In 2009, the production of food grains was 33.83 million tonnes, which has now increased to 45.34 million tonnes.
The country has progressed a lot in the last few years. What is the reason behind this?
The main reason is the philosophy of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and the prime minister played the vital role in bringing back positive impacts across the country.
Indeed, the pandemic has taken away a lot, but taught us the biggest lesson: how to exercise the right leadership with courage.
Today, Bangladesh has made a remarkable progress in terms of food production and agricultural success.
The country ranks third in rice production, third in vegetable, seventh in mango, seventh in potato, eighth in guava, fourth in tea, second in jute, third in inland freshwater fish and first in hilsa production.
There is no scope to deny that the whole world is facing food crisis and economic recession and we are going to face a big setback in food production in future.
In the past few years, I had the opportunity to attend the prime minister's press conferences where I questioned her on many issues regarding agriculture.
During a press conference a few days back, she was talking about agricultural practices in the courtyards of people living in the Ashrayan projects.
I am impressed to see the prime minister paying attention to the issues raised in my TV programme, Hridoye Mati O Manush.
During the Covid-19 pandemic period, she advised people to engage in rooftop farming.
My warmest wishes to the honourable prime minister on her birthday.