Cumilla: Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid today emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the agricultural sector through the implementation of farmer-friendly policies. ‘The BNP government is fully committed to ensuring the sustainable progress of this sector by prioritizing the overall development of the farmers,’ he stated while addressing a function at Sadar Upazila premises as the chief guest.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Adarsh Sadar Upazila to distribute agricultural machinery among local farmer groups. The distribution included rice reapers, corn threshers, Low Lift Pumps (LLPs), canvas pipes, and hand sprayers. These were provided under the “Sustainable Agricultural Technology Extension Project in Cumilla Region” for the 2025-26 fiscal year and the “Bangladesh Sustainable Recovery, Emergency Preparedness and Response (B-STRONG)” project.
The minister highlighted the government’s continuous efforts in ensuring financial security for farmers, reducing production costs, expanding agricultural mechanization, and guaranteeing fair prices for agricultural produce. He stressed that strengthening the economic foundation of farmers is crucial for making the national economy sustainable and resilient. “If the farmers prosper, the country’s economy grows stronger,” he added.
He also mentioned the present government’s initiatives within two months of assuming office, such as waiving agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000, expanding the farmer registration and card programme, and introducing the “Family Card” to enhance the social and financial empowerment of women.
Recalling the previous BNP government’s role in agricultural growth, the minister noted that the current administration has launched a canal re-digging programme to ensure efficient monsoon water drainage and adequate irrigation during the dry season, aiming to boost production and mitigate water logging.
The minister underscored the importance of agricultural mechanization to address labor shortages and reduce production costs, with the government providing financial assistance for modern machinery use in various farming activities. He stated that machinery distribution is being managed through union-based farmer cooperatives, with plans for nationwide expansion.
He urged field-level agricultural officials to adopt a proactive approach, maintain regular contact with farmers, and provide counseling services at union and ward levels to resolve issues promptly.
The event was attended by notable figures such as Director of the Sustainable Agricultural Technology Extension Project in Cumilla Region Mohammad Rashed Hasnat, Director of the B-STRONG Project Sabina Yasmin, and other local officials.
Earlier, the minister released fish fingerlings into a water body at Cumilla Victoria Government College, emphasizing the government’s goal to ensure food security by boosting agricultural and fisheries production. Responding to media queries, he outlined a long-term plan for increasing indigenous fish species production through large-scale fish fry release programmes.
The programme saw the release of 132 kilograms of fish fingerlings, including Catla, Rui, and Mrigal, into the college pond, with several senior officials in attendance.