Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for boosting the country’s farm products to help diversify the export basket and earn more in foreign exchange.

“I think agricultural products can play a vital role in diversifying export basket. We must not be dependent on one or two export items only,” she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing a programme organized at Osmani Memorial Auditorium to distribute Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award among 44 individuals and organisations for the Bangla years of 1425 (2018) and 1426 (2019).

She joined the event virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.

The award recognises the outstanding contributions of the recipients in the development of the country’s agriculture.

PM Hasina said that her government has been working hard to increase the agricultural products with the twin objectives of making the country self-reliant and raising the exports.

“We should always keep this in mind. We will stand on our own feet by reducing dependence on import,” she said.

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture Ministry Matia Chowdhury and Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam also spoke at the programme.

Sharmin Akhter spoke on behalf of the awardees.

A documentary on the development of the agriculture in Bangladesh was screened at the programme.