‘Didn’t seriously ask people to eat water hyacinth

Different media platforms distorted his statement, claimed Planning Minister MA Mannan.

"I asked researchers to find out a way to turn water hyacinth into a useful resource," said Mannan on Tuesday while briefing the journalists after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

The minister said he asked the researchers to do more research on agriculture and other fields. "I just jokingly told them to find out how to make water hyacinth more useful. Then, someone said water hyacinth is food for the cow. I repeat, I never asked people to consume it."

On Monday, Mannan, while addressing a ceremony at the National Economic Council in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to award two persons for their contribution in agricultural research, told researchers to do something about making the jackfruit smaller to make it look attractive.

Then, the minster cracked a joke to expand one of his comments. "If cows can eat water hyacinth, why can't we?" he said.