Sylhet: Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir announced that the re-excavation of canals in Sylhet aims to resolve issues related to irrigation shortages and waterlogging, allowing approximately 1,500 bighas of land to be cultivated.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the Champatoli canal excavation in Osmaninagar upazila. He highlighted that the completion of the canal re-excavation will enable local residents to benefit from increased crop production, improved flood control, and enhanced tree plantation from the very first year.
The project is expected to address issues of irrigation shortages and water stagnation, providing farmers with the opportunity to cultivate more land. The initiative also includes planting a variety of tree saplings along the canal banks.
Minister Muktadir noted that Sylhet is predominantly a single-crop region, and the lack of irrigation during the dry season alongside waterlogging in some areas has hindered farmers from producing additional crops.
In response to a question about the price gap between wholesale and retail markets, the minister acknowledged that some price variation is normal. However, he emphasized that the government is vigilant to ensure that this gap does not become unacceptable. A fact-finding committee will be established after Eid to investigate unreasonable price differences in essential commodities and agricultural products. This committee will include traders, professionals, and government officials and will conduct public hearings with consumers and business representatives present.