Moulvibazar: Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury today said that the canal excavation programme will add a new dimension to the local economy to increase agricultural production and protect the environment. 'After the excavation work, various fruit-bearing and medicinal saplings would be planted along both the banks of the canals,' he said while inaugurating the excavation work of the Katagang canal at Sadar upazila of the district here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the initiative is expected to maintain ecological balance and create new economic opportunities for local communities. The minister highlighted that the project is part of a nationwide programme to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies. He elaborated on the benefits, stating that the excavation of canals will bring significant improvements to the irrigation system.
The expected increase in the yield of Boro paddy and the possibility for farmers to cultivate three crops a year instead of two were emphasized by the minister. This development is anticipated to further strengthen the country's food security. He pointed out the historical precedent of public participation, noting that when former President Ziaur Rahman initiated canal excavation programmes across the country, ordinary people voluntarily contributed to the effort.
Minister Chowdhury expressed hope that the public would once again unite voluntarily to implement the development mission of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Present at the event were Naser Rahman MP, Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar Towhiduzzaman Pavel, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Billal Hossain, and Chief Engineer of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Muhammad Badrul Alam.