Chattogram: Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Saching Prue has sought cooperation from the agricultural ministry to promote modern, agriculture-based economic development in the CHT areas to protect the region's environment and natural resources. He made the request during a courtesy meeting with Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid at the latter's office at the secretariat here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agriculture minister warmly welcomed Saching Prue, the prince of the traditional Bohmong Circle, upon his arrival at the ministry. During the meeting, they held cordial discussions on the overall development of the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors in the CHT areas and across the country, as well as various areas of cooperation between the two ministries.
Highlighting the potential of the hill region and outlining the possible strategies, Saching Prue said one of the government's key objectives is to completely stop the cultivation of harmful tobacco and narcotic plants in remote areas of the CHTs. 'It is essential to arrange specialized training so that farmers in the hill tracts can acquire modern agricultural skills just like farmers in the plains,' he said.
The CHT minister further said the era of artificial intelligence (AI) has created an opportune moment to significantly increase the agricultural production there. He expressed his optimism that expanding the cultivation of coffee, cashew nuts, turmeric, sugarcane, and bamboo to meet the country's food security and nutritional needs would enable the CHTs to play a vital role in the national economy.
Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid welcomed the initiatives and proposals put forward by the CHT minister. He said the agricultural ministry and the CHT affairs ministry would work jointly to improve the livelihoods of the farmers in both the hill and plain regions and contribute to the country's overall economic growth.