DHAKA, May 14, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that the problems and potentials in the agricultural sector must be properly identified and addressed through integrated planning.

He said agriculture plays a vital role in Bangladesh's economy, food security and rural livelihood development.

The state minister also highlighted the activities of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, saying it has made significant contributions to strengthening the rural economy and creating agriculture-based employment opportunities.

He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled "Agricultural Mechanization & Irrigation in Bangladesh: Opportunities & Constraints," organised by the Agricultural Engineering Division of The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its seminar hall in the capital.

Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed, IEB General Secretary Professor Dr Engr Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Engineers Association of Bangladesh (EAB) convener Engineer Shahreen Islam Tuhin, IEB Vice-President Khan Manjur Morshed, and Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Agriculturist Md Abdur Rahim also spoke at the event.

The state minister stressed the need for establishing a separate Agricultural Engineering Department for the agriculture sector.

He said similar dedicated engineering departments in the health, education and local government sectors are already functioning successfully. A specialised agricultural engineering department would further enhance infrastructure development, adoption of modern technology and field-level service delivery.

IEB Agricultural Engineering Division Chairman Engineer Golam Mawla presided over the seminar.

Teachers, researchers and policymakers took part in discussions on modernisation and technological transformation of agriculture.

Speakers expressed hope that implementation of the recommendations would make Bangladesh's agriculture more modern, efficient, sustainable and internationally competitive.