Photo : BSS

CUMILLA, March 16, 2026 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today said the government has already taken initiatives to implement the pledges made to the people before the election.

"Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes not in politics of words but in fulfilling people's expectations through real work, and various development initiatives have been launched with that objective in mind," Rashid, who also holds charge of the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, told reporters at Lalmai upazila in Cumilla this afternoon.

Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid was addressing a programme as the chief guest organised to mark the inauguration of the re-excavation of a canal branch of the river Dakatiya in Dosharicho mouza in Lalmai upazila.

The minister said that before the election, the government had announced the launch of the 'Family Card' to support poor and destitute women. Shortly after the election, the implementation process was initiated. Similarly, preparations for launching the 'Farmer Card' to assist farmers are almost complete, and it is expected to be rolled out around Pohela Boishakh.

"Nearly 70 percent of the country's population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. Enhancing the financial capacity of farmers will strengthen the overall economy. With this goal in mind, the government has taken various supportive initiatives in the agriculture sector, including debt relief and other programmes," he added.

The agriculture minister said the BNP had promised to launch a nationwide canal excavation programme, similar to the initiative during the time of the late President Ziaur Rahman. In line with that promise, re-excavation and repair work on canals has begun in various parts of the country.

He said canal re-excavation would increase irrigation facilities, reduce waterlogging, and enhance fish production. At the same time, the government has involved local people in these development activities on a voluntary labor basis.

Rashid said the government's goal is to strengthen the country's agriculture sector through farmer-friendly policies and to build a sustainable foundation for the rural economy.

He urged the local people to be aware of canal conservation and management, saying that keeping canals functional would increase agricultural production, ease water drainage, and accelerate overall development in the area.

Cumilla-10 lawmaker Md Mobaswer Alam Bhuiyan and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Chairman Md Azizul Islam attended the function as special guests while it was presided over by Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan.