Home ›› 27 Sep 2021 ›› Nation
Field-level agricultural extension officials, scientists and researchers have been urged to expand the modern agricultural technologies to the grassroots farmers for boosting yield to meet the gradually mounting demands.
Substantial and sustainable expansion of modern technologies can be the effective means of making the agriculture sector profitable and successful and that’s very important for ensuring food security. The views were expressed by high officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) at a daylong regional workshop-2021 related to modern technology expansion in Rajshahi on Sunday.
The DAE organized the workshop under its project titled “Agriculture Development Project of Rajshahi Division through Extension of Modern Technology” at BGB Party Point largely attended by extension officials, scientists and researchers.
DAE Director General Muhammad Asadullah addressed the workshop as the chief guest, while Director of the project Dr SM Hasanuzzaman welcomed the participants.
With DAE Additional Director Sirajul Islam in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Deputy Directors Shamsul Wadud, Nazrul Islam and Abdul Awal.
Md Asadullah said the present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has attached top priority to the agriculture sector to boost its yield to meet the country’s demand.
So, all the officials and staff concerned should discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty to supplement the government endeavor after the best uses of modern technologies.
He urged the field level agriculture officials to put in their level best efforts to make the agricultural activities commercialised and profitable to ensure food security in the country.
Agriculturist Asadullah told the meeting that the government has set a target of doubling the food production, while maize production to one crore tonnes from the existing 50 lakh tonnes by 2030.
Dr Hasanuzzaman told the meeting that the five-year project is being implemented in 67 upazilas of all eight districts in the division at a cost of around Tk 147.03 crore since January, 2020.
Upon successful implementation by December, 2024, the project will help increase cropping intensity to 242 percent from 237 percent through expansion of modern agriculture technologies.
Besides, the project is intended to enhance production of paddy, pulse and oilseed to 12 percent each, wheat and maize to 10 percent each, spice to 13 per cent, vegetables to 15 percent and fruits to 14 percent.
