SHERPUR (UNB): Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury Friday said the government has taken up a massive plan for the country's faster development.

"The country could not make progress in the last seven years. So, this government has taken up a massive development plan," she said while distributing fertiliser free among the framers in Nalitabari Upazila at noon.

The agriculture minister, who had held the same portfolio in the previous Awami League government, said the prices of daily essentials had come down during the Awami League's previous rule.

She assured the farmers that the prices of oil would be cut down like that of rice and fertiliser in line with the trend on the international market.

Matia said initiatives have been taken to protect the interests of consumers and create job opportunities so that people can lead a comfortable life.

Thirty metric tonnes of TSP were distributed among some 3,000 flood-affected small and marginal farmers with assistance from the Chinese government.

Deputy Commissioner Shamsun Nahar Begum, Union Nirbahi Officer (UNO) M Zahirul Islam and Upazila Chairman Badiuzzaman Badshah were, among others, present on the occasion.