RAJSHAHI, Bangladesh, Nov 12 (BSS)- A Taka 52.99 crore project is being implemented to disseminate modern agro-engineering and
technological know-how to farmers at the grassroots for enhancing
farm production.

Officials concerned said the Department of Agriculture
Extension (DAE) is implementing the project to make the modern
engineering technologies acceptable to the field level growers as
the demand for food and other agricultural crops are gradually
increasing with the rise of population in the country.

According to the officials, the five-year 'Production
Enhancement and Creation of Rural Employment through Extension of
Agriculture Engineering Technology Project' is being implemented
in 112 upazilas of 56 districts in the country.

The project began in July 2005. The main objective of the
project is to make the agriculture sector profitable after
reducing expenditures at all stages of production.

Besides, extension of irrigation area through time-fitting
management and to make it cost-effective, the project seeks to
increase cropping intensity along with quality development of
crops and to resist its misuse through proper application of
agriculture machinery.

To attain the goal, steps were taken to appoint agriculture
engineers at the upazila level aimed at motivating the farmers in
using modern agriculture engineering technologies and to re-
excavate the rural derelict canals, ponds and other water bodies
to preserve surface water during the dry season.

Different kind of modern machinery like power tiller,
seeder, weedier, sprayer, self-propelled and power tiller
operated reaper, power thresher and drier are being distributed
among the farmers groups at a cost-effective price.

Side by side, demonstrations, training, field day, farmers
rally, workshop and agriculture machinery fair are being arranged
at different levels on various issues including irrigation
management, improved canal, surface-water conservation and
removing water stagnant in cultivation fields.

Deputy Director of DAE, Rajshahi Braja Hari Das told BSS
today that the project would help attain the target of cherished
crop production which is essential for the country.