The minister was addressing a meeting aimed at preparing a roadmap ensuring full and timely implementation of the development projects under the Annual Development Program of 2006-07, said a press release.

The agriculture ministry will implement 55 spill-over projects at a cost of Tk. 580 crore under the current ADP. Another Tk. 641 crore has been allocated for 62 new projects which are at different stages of approval.

Member of the Planning Division Ali Imam Mazumder, Agriculture Secretary Kazi Abul Kashem, chief executives of all the 16 agriculture organisations, representatives of the Ministries concerned and officials of the agriculture ministry attended the meeting.

Emphasising the need for successful implementation of the development projects, the minister said, "you will have to make forward planning to implement different components of the projects. Don't wait for fund release to start the work under the projects".

The minister said quality seed supply should be strengthened to increase production. He said, "we will have to take steps to reduce loss of irrigation water, apart from expansion of irrigation coverage". He asked the BADC and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority to take a coordinated approach to increase irrigation facilities uniformly across the country.

The minister also said research and extension organisations should take coordinated steps to reduce huge yield-gap, which is above 30 percent in some crops.

The meeting decided to increase seed storage capacity of BADC. It also decided to expedite research on all fibre crops such as jute and cotton at one place.