Plan to meet 40pc edible oil demand locally: Razzak

Plan to meet 40pc edible oil demand locally: Razzak

Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak said on Tuesday that the government has prepared a draft roadmap to raise local edible oil production by nearly 200 per cent within the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, which could meet minimum 40 per cent of the country total demand. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has readied the draft roadmap recently as part of a move to overcome any edible oil supply shortage through local sources by enhancing oil seed acreage to 2.4 million hectares from the present 0.82 million hectares, he said. The minister was told while he was addressing a press conference at his office auditorium in Secretariat on Tuesday. He said the draft is going to be tabled within one or two days to finalise the roadmap. He has noted that currently the country produces 1.2 million tonnes of oil seeds, of which mustard comprises more than 60 per cent. Among others, Agriculture Secretary Sayedul Islam and higher authority of the ministry were present in the meeting.