‘Govt provides Tk34,000cr subsidy in fertiliser annually’

The incumbent pro-farmer government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is providing subsidies of about Tk 34,000 crore in chemical fertilisers annually.

"The government is subsidising the huge amount of money to make agriculture more profitable for farmers," Director General (Seed Wing) of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Abu Zubair Hossain said on Thursday.

He said this while addressing a training programme titled “A Technique to Increase Profitable Fruit Production” held at the training centre of the Burirhat Horticulture Center (BHC) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rangpur city as the chief guest.

The BHC organised the daylong event under the “Year Round Fruit Production for Nutrition Improvement Project” for 30 selected farmers with Deputy Director of BHC Md Abu Sayem in the chair.

While visiting various activities of Rangpur Horticulture Center on the occasion, the director general also planted mango saplings of “Alphonso” variety and auspiciously inaugurated the Germplasm of the newly evolved mango Mother Plant.

In his welcome speech, Abu Sayem said the Germplasm programme is starting with 23 local and foreign popular and appreciated mango varieties.

"The number of mango varieties and periphery will be increased gradually," he said and expressed optimism that the BHC will contribute significantly to the production of exportable mangoes in Rangpur and surrounding areas.

The chief guest suggested the participating farmers ensure proper variety selection, appropriate care and proper post-harvest management in order to produce fruits profitably.

"To be a successful agricultural entrepreneur, one must regularly learn about the latest modern agricultural technology," he added.

Acting additional director of the DAE, Rangpur region, Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of the DAE for Kurigram district Biplob Kumar Mohant and horticulturist Hena Nasreen, among others, were present.