Bangladesh was once an agrarian economy and according to the World Bank a staggering where around 70% of the labor force was involved in agriculture which contributed to the 70% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP represents the monetary value of all goods and services produced within a nation's geographic borders over a specified period of time, Source- Wikipedia) in the 1950?s.

However times have changed as the nation with the rapid development of both the industrial and service sector which has reduced the portion of labor employed in agriculture to 47% and the sector only contributes to a mere 16% of the GDP.

This means that other sectors of the nation developed at the cost of resources being shifted from the agricultural sector, the sector solely responsible for food production. As a result we are facing several challenges to keep up the food production with the fast growing population.

With an aim to boost the food growing sector, the first National Vegetable Fair was organized this year in January.  It was launched by Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury.

The fair showcased more than 200 varieties of vegetables and the visitors who came to the fair had the opportunity to obtain detailed information on the vegetables in the different parts of the country.

The Agriculture ministry was the main organizer of this event which took place from 17th to 19th January. The Agriculture Extension Department director general Mr. Mohammad Hamidur Rahman said during the briefing that ?One of the main objectives of the fair is to create awareness about producing and consuming vegetables?. He also stressed that ?Discussions on various kinds of vegetables, which are being cultivated in our country, will be arranged during the fair?. And at last he mentioned that ?food production was now at a crossroads in Bangladesh, and the fair gave that message?.

Currently Bangladesh has around 156 types of vegetables. Although the Agriculture Extension was able to develop several varieties many people are still not aware about the nutritious vegetables. And through the fair they were being popularized.

Nutrition wise, vegetable is actually an important  component in a balanced diet. And as more people will learn about the nutrition of the vegetables, they are likely to incorporate them in their meals.