Bangladesh, Jan. 10 -- The content of a report published recently by the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) of the food ministry is enough to arouse both frustration and hope as far as the production of food is concerned.
The report said the current level of per-acre food production in the country, on an average, for all food crops is below 50 per cent of its potential. In the case of Boro rice, according to the FPMU report, the unused potential is 50 per cent. For Aus rice, it is 63 per cent, for Aman 45 per cent, for maize 44-46 per cent and for wheat 40 per cent.
The reasons behind lower production are many. However, the failure to employ the improved varieties of crops, technology and proper agricultural practices are thought to...