Khagrachhari:The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) organized a training program for farmers and entrepreneurs in Khagrachhari to enhance their skills and capacity for exporting agricultural products. The initiative aims to diversify Bangladesh's export basket and expand access to international markets.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training program, titled "Enhancing Skills of Entrepreneurs and Farmers and Developing Export Capacity in Agricultural Products," took place at the Manikchhari Upazila Parishad conference room. The event was part of the EPB's export product diversification initiative.
EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Hasan Arif attended as the chief guest, with Manikchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Afroze Bhuiyan chairing the event. Other attendees included EPB Director Kumkum Sultana, President of the Bangladesh Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association, Chattogram, Mohammad Kamal Uddin, as well as officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and the Department of Agricultural Extension, alongside local farmers and entrepreneurs.
In his address, Hasan Arif highlighted the potential for Khagrachhari and nearby hill districts to produce and export various agricultural products such as mangoes, pineapples, oranges, bananas, coffee, jackfruits, cashew nuts, dragon fruits, and papayas. Expanding these products' presence in international markets could help diversify the country's export basket and increase incomes for farmers and entrepreneurs.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring product quality and safety throughout production, harvesting, storage, grading, packaging, and transportation to compete internationally. Arif also highlighted the need for market-oriented agricultural production, modern orchard management, post-harvest handling, and efficient value chains to reduce waste and increase value addition.
The training included modules on production techniques for export-oriented horticultural crops, post-harvest management, value chain development, Good Agricultural Practices, grading, packaging, export procedures, international market analysis, foreign buyer identification, and export-related documentation.