Describing the sorry state of marketing of seasonal fruits due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the agriculture ministry today made 10 recommendations, including reduced toll at Bangabandhu Bridge on return food-laden truck and inclusion of seasonal fruits in relief items.

The ministry came up with the initiative following a virtual meeting with stakeholders, experts, several ministers, a former minister and economist at the conference room of the agriculture ministry.

Following detailed discussions, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque announced the ten-point initiative and recommendations which include ensuring smooth movement of traders and others concerned safeguarding their health safety, issuing health certificates to them if necessary and arranging safe accommodation for them.

The senior minister also said free movement of trucks and other vehicles in different parts of the country for transportation of seasonal fruits and agricultural products will be ensured.

Besides, it will have to be ensured that fruit-laden vehicles do not face any harassment by law enforcement agencies.

He also said BRTC's trucks will be used to transport and market the fruits.

Besides, the ministry will take measures to increase the scope of transport of seasonal fruits and agricultural products in parcel trains as well as for online sales and small-scale shopping in vans.

Abdur Razzaque said, "Farmers are not able to sell their produce. Demand for agricultural products in the market has declined due to the absence of buyers in the markets and declining income of the people, resulting in wholesalers losing their interest in purchasing agricultural products."

The meeting was attended, among others, by former agriculture minister and chief of the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture Matia Chowdhury, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Robert Simpson.