Rajshahi:Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced plans to expand ginger cultivation on unused land in mango orchards in the Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Natore regions. This initiative aims to boost farmers' income and reduce reliance on ginger imports.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister highlighted progress in rice production in the Barind region due to improvements in the irrigation system. Additionally, significant success has been achieved in vegetable production.
Minister Rashid expressed optimism that cultivating ginger in the vacant spaces of mango orchards would provide farmers with an additional crop. Approximately 150,000 tons of ginger are imported annually, and local cultivation could decrease this dependency.
The minister also addressed the need for increased surveillance in border areas to prevent smuggling and wastage of government fertilizers. He emphasized that although there is no shortage of urea fertilizer, demand for certain subsidized fertilizers has temporarily increased, prompting the appointment of new fertilizer dealers in each union.
During his visit, Minister Rashid observed sack ginger cultivation technology in a litchi orchard at Haripur Union in Rajshahi city, where approximately 700 sacks of ginger have been cultivated. Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension and other concerned authorities were present at the event.