DHAKA : Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said that the government has undertaken various initiatives to increase agricultural production, improve irrigation system and ensure market stability across the country.
He made the remarks while addressing a function as the chief guest today at the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium where agricultural incentives were distributed among around 3,000 farmers.
The minister said canal re-excavation and development of irrigationt are crucial for boosting agricultural production in the country, said a Commerce Ministry press release.
He noted that initiatives have also been taken to restore several canals, including the Basia canal in Sylhet, which stretches from the Surma River to different areas of South Surma and Sunamganj.
Through re-excavation of these canals, accumulated water will be drained out efficiently while irrigation facilities will be ensured during the dry season, he said.
Muktadir said that in areas where waterlogging occurs due to geographical conditions, rapid drainage systems will be developed.
“Enhanced irrigation facilities will also create opportunities for producing an additional crop annually, which will play a significant role in strengthening the country’s food security,” he added.
The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to inaugurate the “Farmer Card” programme on April 14 to bring farmers under a central database.
Under the initiative, farmers’ information will be preserved in a centralised database to ensure easy access to fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and agricultural loans, while timely information on natural disasters or crop damage will also be communicated to them.
He added that the government will gradually conduct mapping of all agricultural land across the country to identify the most suitable and profitable crops for each region, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.
Addressing the farmers, the minister urged them to ensure optimum use of limited arable land by bringing all cultivable land under farming.
He said cultivating similar crops in a specific area would help the government provide support, control diseases and manage markets more efficiently.
Muktadir expressed the hope that implementation of canal re-excavation, irrigation development and agricultural incentive programmes would bring about an agricultural revolution in Sylhet and across the country.
He said the government is committed to implementing its election pledges and added that infrastructure development in Sylhet, including roads, bridges and culverts, has already been brought under planning.
Agricultural inputs distributed among farmers included five kilograms of seeds, 10 kilograms of DAP fertiliser and 10 kilograms of MOP fertiliser for each farmer, totaling 25 kilograms.
Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat chaired the function.
Among others, Sylhet City BNP General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, acting president Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodi, Sylhet Sadar Upazila BNP president Abul Kasem, general secretary Azizur Rahman and Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shawkat Jamil were present.
