Adequate plantation of fruit-bearing trees underscored

Agricultural extension and research officials view the plantation of adequate fruit trees as an important step for ensuring nutritional demands, food security, ecological balance and biodiversity.

Highlighting the various significance of the fruit and fruit trees in terms of the present social and national aspects, they unanimously put emphasis on transforming the tree plantation campaign into a social movement.

They came up with the observations while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day fruit fair at the office premises of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi on Thursday afternoon.

DAE district office and Paba Upazila office jointly organised the fair.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdul Jalil addressed the ceremony as chief guest, while DAE Deputy Director Mozder Hossain was in the chair.

Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station Dr Alim Uddin, DAE District Training Officer Umme Salma, Additional Deputy Directors Towfukur Rahman and Uttam Kumar Kabiraj also spoke.

In his remarks, Dr Alim Uddin said in terms of food and nutritive values green and ripe fruits are vital as these are enriched with enormous vitamins A, B, C, calcium and iron which are essential for the human body irrespective of age and sex. So, boosting fruit farming is very important and helpful for society as a whole.

He said many health experts are seen suggesting that patients consume more citrus fruits to protect them from infectious diseases with early recovery.

DC Abdul Jalil said the present government is committed to encouraging and motivating the people towards more fruit tree plantations for boosting fruit production to meet up the country’s demand.

He said the promotion of adequate fruit trees is very important for ensuring nutritional demands coupled with food security, ecological balance and biodiversity.

All irrespective of age, sex, creed and caste plant fruit saplings around their respective homesteads or on any open space to help maintain environmental and ecological balance and save the region from the wrath of any future natural catastrophe.

He said there is no alternative to plant more saplings to protect the ecology after facing the adverse impact of climate change in the region.