RAJSHAHI, March 21, 2022 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahariar
Alam urged the field-level agricultural officials, scientists and researchers
to expand the modern technologies to the grassroots farmers for boosting
agricultural production.
 
He said substantial and sustainable expansion of modern technologies can be
the effective means of making the agriculture sector profitable and
successful that is very important for ensuring food security.
 
He came up with the observation while inaugurating a three-day Agriculture
Technology Fair- 2022 in the district as chief guest yesterday.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) organized the fair at Charghat
Upazila Parishad Complex under its project titled "Agriculture Development
Project of Rajshahi Division through Extension of Modern Technology".

Upazila Chairman Fakhrul Islam and Pourashava Mayor Ekramul Haque also spoke
with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Syeda Samira in the chair.
 
Shahriar Alam said the present government under the dynamic and visionary
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has attached top priority on the
agriculture sector to boost its yield to meet the country's demand.
 
So, all the officials and staff concerned should discharge their duties with
utmost sincerity and honesty to supplement the government endeavor after the
best uses of modern technologies, he said.
 
He said the government has set a target of doubling the food production,
while maize production to one crore tonnes from the existing 50 lakh tonnes
by 2030.
 
The meeting was apprised that the five-year project is being implemented in
67 upazilas of all eight districts in the division at a cost of around Tk
147.03 crore since January, 2020.

Around 86,430 farmers and 7350 others will be imparted training aimed at
successful expansion of modern tech in the agriculture sector in the division
with intervention of the project.
 
Another 93,780 people, including 86,430 farmers will be brought under a two-
day need-based training course in different batches as 25,820 demonstrations
of new technologies and crop varieties and plants will be made.
 
Upon successful implementation by December, 2024, the project will help
increase cropping intensity to 242 percent from 237 percent through expansion
of modern agriculture technologies.
 
Besides, the project is intended to enhance production of paddy, pulse and
oilseed to 12 percent each, wheat and maize to 10 percent each, spice to 13
per cent, vegetables to 15 percent and fruits to 14 percent.