Khagrachhari:The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) conducted a comprehensive training program for farmers and entrepreneurs in Khagrachhari to bolster their capabilities in exporting agricultural products. This initiative aims to diversify Bangladesh's export offerings and increase access to global markets.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training, titled "Enhancing Skills of Entrepreneurs and Farmers and Developing Export Capacity in Agricultural Products," took place at the Manikchhari Upazila Parishad conference room on Saturday. This event is part of EPB's strategy for export product diversification.
The session featured several notable attendees, including EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Hasan Arif, who served as the chief guest, and Manikchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Afroze Bhuiyan, who chaired the event. The program also included EPB Director Kumkum Sultana, the President of the Bangladesh Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association in Chattogram, Mohammad Kamal Uddin, along with officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and the Department of Agricultural Extension, as well as local farmers and entrepreneurs.
During his address, Hasan Arif highlighted the export potential of Khagrachhari and surrounding hill districts, particularly for products like mangoes, pineapples, oranges, bananas, coffee, jackfruits, cashew nuts, dragon fruits, and papayas. He emphasized that international market expansion could significantly diversify the country's export basket and enhance the incomes of farmers and entrepreneurs.
Arif underscored the importance of maintaining product quality and safety through all stages of production, including harvesting, storage, grading, packaging, and transportation, to ensure competitiveness in international markets. He advocated for market-oriented agricultural production, modern orchard management, post-harvest handling, and efficient value chains to minimize waste and increase value addition.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including production techniques for export-oriented horticultural crops, post-harvest management, value chain development, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), grading and packaging, export procedures, international market analysis, foreign buyer identification, and export-related documentation.