Manikganj: Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today announced that mini cold storage technology will be introduced to farmers at the grassroots level, aiming to help them store food grains and vegetables efficiently. The initiative is expected to revolutionize preservation methods and enhance sustainability in the agricultural economy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Adviser made these remarks during the inauguration of the Farmers' Mini Cold Storage in the Medulia area under Dhalla Union of Singair Upazila in Manikganj district. He emphasized that farmers could set up mini cold storages at a lower cost at their homes, which would help them preserve their produce and reduce losses caused by the lack of preservation facilities, particularly during the winter when a large quantity of vegetables is grown.
The Adviser also addressed the issue of fake and spurious seeds, stating that tougher legal actions would be taken upon receiving complaints. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing efforts to protect arable lands, mentioning that a new law would be enacted within five to six months. This law aims to provide affected individuals with compensation three times higher than the actual price of land acquired by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).
The event also saw the presence of Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian and Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md. Saiful Alam, among others. The programme aims to distribute 100 farmers' mini cold storages, financed by the climate change trust fund, to enhance farmers' income and mitigate risks from adverse climate impacts.
The installation of a one-room mini cold storage, which can store up to 10 tonnes of goods, costs Taka 500,000, requiring 70 percent less investment compared to conventional cold storages.