In modernizing agriculture in Rupganj, partner Congress now aims for safe food and export

Md. Haroon Or Rashid

A grand ‘Partner Congress’ was held under the ‘Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh’ (Partner) project to promote modern and profitable agriculture in Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj. This was done on Thursday (May 7) morning at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium organized by the Upazila Agriculture Office. Under the chairmanship of Upazila Agriculture Officer Afroza Sultana, Deputy Director of Narayanganj District Agriculture Extension Directorate Abu Zafar Md. Ahsan Shaheed Sarkar was present as the chief guest.

Deputy Director of Narayanganj District Agriculture Extension Department Abu Jafar Md. Ahsan Shaheed Sarkar said, if we can ensure good agricultural practices, then on one hand, safe food will be ensured for the people of the country, on the other hand, we will be able to earn a lot of dollars by exporting these products abroad. Last year, not getting the right price for potato or onion was a cause of concern for farmers. But if an export-oriented market can be created, farmers will get a fair price for their hard-earned produce. Overuse of groundwater poses a threat to the environment. Therefore, irrigation should be managed through rainwater conservation and proper use of river water. Modernization of irrigation system to protect agriculture and environment is the need of the hour. The meeting advised farmers to reduce the use of excess chemical fertilizers and focus on organic and sustainable farming practices. There is no alternative to smart agriculture to build a smart Bangladesh.

Rupganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Afroza Sultana said, it is your responsibility to deliver the message of this partner project of the government to everyone. We who are government officials are very less in number than the people. So if you do not support us, then this great effort of the government is not possible to succeed. Bangladesh is an agricultural country, no development is possible without agriculture here. You see that the agricultural land is decreasing day by day.But there are many sectors of agriculture where we can still improve if we want to. To advance agriculture in Rupganj, we must be export oriented and develop farmers as skilled entrepreneurs. Only then will there be real development in the agriculture of Rupganj.

Additional Agriculture Officer Afrin Akhter Faria, Agriculture Extension Officer Rafia Akhtar Rimu, besides Upazila Livestock Officer, Upazila Fisheries Officer, Upazila Cooperative Officer and senior officials of various government departments were present as special guests.
PFS and non-PFS farmers from different unions of the upazila were also present along with local public representatives, dignitaries and journalists from print and electronic media.In an open discussion, farmers shared their experiences and emphasized on the use of modern agricultural machinery and improved seeds.