Rajshahi: Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology, have inspected ongoing projects of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) in the district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the advisers visited Godagari upazila on Friday to review development activities, including the use of surface water from the Padma River for irrigation via the Sormongla canal and the management of irrigation through a net metering system. BMDA Executive Director Abu Sayeed Kamruzzaman was also present during the inspection.
During the visit, Dr Titumir highlighted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to fulfilling election pledges aimed at the welfare of the people. He noted that the government plans to distribute family cards and farmer cards, as well as to excavate canals in various areas. Dr Titumir expressed satisfaction with BMDA’s initiatives, stating that the organization has transformed the northern region into a granary by adopting modern agricultural practices.
He further elaborated that BMDA is utilizing canal water for cultivation, operating irrigation through solar power, and supplying surplus electricity to the national grid. The authority is also taking various farmer-friendly initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity.
Adviser Rehan Asif Asad discussed the government’s digital initiatives to modernize agriculture, including the introduction of Farmer Cards, which are set to be launched on Pohela Baishakh. He explained that these cards will allow landless, small, and marginal farmers to receive government subsidies, loans, and agricultural inputs directly. This move aims to eliminate middlemen, ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Asad added that agricultural production in the Barind region has significantly increased, rising from one crop to three crops per year, thereby improving the living standards of farmers. He also mentioned that further initiatives will be introduced to continue modernizing agriculture and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.
Earlier in the day, the advisers participated in a tree planting activity at Sormongla Eco Park.