To avoid depending on import alone, food production has to be emphasised to meet local demands, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Food products for which we depended on import previously are now being produced in the country. For example we used to depend on India for onion and cattle. But now the situation has changed, we have already started producing onion in the country," said the prime minister during the opening ceremony of the Deputy Commissioners conference at Shapla Hall of the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday (24 January).

She also said, "Increasing production will not be enough we have to focus on storage as well."

There might come a time when the production would surplus the local demand and Bangladesh will be able to export food products as well, she hoped.

"No one will be landless, people who are in need will be given land and shelter. However, only giving a living space will not be enough we have to ensure sustainable income," said the prime minister.

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain spoke at the function, reports BSS.

Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain gave the address of welcome as PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah spoke at the function.

Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi GSM Zafarullah addressed the function on behalf of the divisional commissioners while Narsingdi DC Abu Nayeem Mohammad Maruf Khan and Bandarban DC Yasmin Parvin Tibriji also spoke on behalf of the deputy commissioners.

The cabinet secretary said that the DCs placed 242 proposals in the last year's conference, of which 177 were implemented while implementation of the remaining 66 proposals is underway.

According to the conference schedule, the DCs will pay call on Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique on 25 January on the second day of the conference.

They will also pay call on President M Abdul Hamid on the third day of the conference.