Parliament: The government will set up 235 Farmer Service Centres across the country to reach agricultural services to the doorsteps of farmers.

"...we've taken initiatives to set up 235 Farmer Service Centres all over the country to take the outcomes of agricultural research, agricultural information and technology, and agricultural services to the doorsteps of farmers," Finance Minister AMA Muhith told Parliament while delivering his budget speech on Thursday.

Noting that the country's economy depends on agriculture, he said despite industrial expansion and extensive development in the IT sector, around 45 percent of the country's total population still depends on agriculture for their livelihood.

Remembering that arable land is gradually decreasing in the country, the Finance Minister said the random constructions in the rural areas must be controlled.

He said the government will further strengthen the ongoing programmes, including innovation of rice variety tolerant to adverse climate, reduction of post harvest damage to crops, establishment of agricultural industries, supply of improved quality seeds and irrigation extension, for increasing agricultural production and improving the state of farmers.