Photo : BSS

NETROKONA, July 22, 2026 (BSS) — Deputy Speaker of parliament Barrister Kayser Kamal today said the government is placing the highest priority on agricultural mechanisation and modernisation to boost productivity.

"Educated young people are gradually losing interest in agriculture. That is why Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is attaching the highest importance to mechanising and modernising the sector," he said.

He made the remarks while inaugurating paddy transplantation using mechanical planters and a tree plantation programme organised by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) at Lengura in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrokona.

The event was chaired by LSTD Project Director Dr M Anwar Hossain. BRRI Director General Dr M Rafiqul Islam attended the programme as the special guest.

Highlighting the importance of engaging educated youths in agriculture, the deputy speaker said nearly 80 percent of the country's people are directly or indirectly dependent on the sector, making it essential to increase rice production through modern technologies.

Referring to the benefits of mechanical rice planters, he said the equipment can transplant four rows of paddy within 40 seconds, significantly reducing labour requirements and contributing to higher productivity and improved crop yields.