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Farmers and guests at the gathering in Kisamat, Dhanbari
The BNP government is placing greater emphasis on agriculture and taking multifaceted initiatives to transform the sector from a traditional, labour-intensive system into a technology-driven, profitable, competitive and sustainable industry through research, modern technology, innovation and mechanisation, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapan has said.
He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while attending a farmers’ gathering and exchange meeting in the Kisamat area of Dhanbari upazila in Tangail. The event focused on activities at a technology village established under the proposed regional office of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Tangail.
Swapan, also a member of parliament for Tangail-1 (Madhupur-Dhanbari), inaugurated the harvesting of early-maturing Aman rice at the technology village. He also planted trees along a roadside during the programme.
The minister said the government had launched a Farmer Card distribution programme to establish a digital database of farmers and ensure that government services reach them directly. Under the initiative, the government aims to bring approximately 27.5 million farmers across the country onto a digital platform.
He said scientists at BRRI had developed new rice varieties and that agricultural officials were continuing research and working directly with farmers to improve productivity and profitability.
Expressing confidence in the agriculture minister's ability to advance the sector, Swapan said the government remained committed to supporting farmers by providing free seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
He also emphasised agricultural mechanisation as a key strategy to reduce production costs, address labour shortages and make farming more profitable.
Dr Md Anwar Hossain, director of BRRI's LSTD project, said the project was working to decentralise rice research by establishing six regional offices across Bangladesh. The initiative aims to give equal attention to agriculture throughout the country and develop location-specific rice varieties and technologies based on regional needs.
Among those present at the programme were Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation Chairman Advocate Shamsuzzaman Suruj, BRRI Chief Scientific Officer Dr Md Ibrahim, Dhanbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nurjahan Akter Sathi, BRRI Assistant Project Director and Senior Scientific Officer Dr Afsana Ansari, and Dr Masud Iqbal, senior scientific officer and head of BRRI's Tangail regional office. Local BNP leaders and other officials also attended the event.
Later, the minister attended a talent scholarship project, reception for distinguished personalities and scholarship distribution ceremony at the field of Dhanbari Asia Hasan Ali Women's Degree College as the chief guest. Sponsored by Ranjit Chandra Saha, the programme focused on recognising talent and supporting students.
Addressing the gathering, Swapan called on people to work together to keep young people away from addiction and narcotics. He also highlighted the importance of education and encouraged young people to focus on their studies and build a better future.
