Rajshahi:Agricultural experts at a workshop have called for encouraging farmers to expand cultivation of BARI Masur-8 to boost its production. They emphasized the need to increase awareness among farmers about cultivating improved varieties of lentils.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the workshop, titled 'Regional Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Promotion of BARI Masur-8', was held in the hall room of the Additional Director's Office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi. Organized jointly by the DAE and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the event highlighted the promotion activities, objectives, and implementation strategies for BARI Masur-8.
DAE Director Obaidur Rahman Mondal, who served as the chief guest, underscored the importance of expanding lentil cultivation to increase pulse production, enhance farmers' income, and ensure access to nutritious food. The workshop featured a keynote paper presented by Dr. Abu Zafar Al Munsur, Deputy Director of DAE, and included discussions on field-level promotion, seed supply, and technical support.
Representatives from various institutions, including agricultural officers from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, and Pabna regions, participated in the workshop. They expressed the need for a coordinated approach from production to marketing to achieve significant progress in the cultivation of BARI Masur-8.