Agriculture Minister inaugurates canal re-excavation in Cumilla

Food, Fisheries & Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has said the government has demonstrated its commitment to fulfilling pre-election promises through concrete actions rather than rhetoric.

He made the remarks while addressing the programme as chief guest following the inauguration of re-excavation work on a branch canal of the Dakatiya River in Dosharichho mouza under Lalmai upazila on Monday afternoon.

The minister said the government had pledged before the election to support poor and vulnerable women through the distribution of family cards, and implementation of the initiative began shortly after assuming office.

He added that preparations for launching a “Farmer Card” are nearly complete and expressed hope that it will be introduced around Pohela Boishakh.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture, he noted that nearly 70 percent of the country’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the sector.

Strengthening farmers’ economic capacity, he said, would in turn bolster the national economy.

To this end, the government has already undertaken several supportive measures, including the waiver of agricultural loans.

Referring to earlier commitments, the minister said that a canal excavation programme similar to initiatives undertaken during the tenure of late President Ziaur Rahman has been relaunched.

Re-excavation and rehabilitation work is already underway in various parts of the country, he added.

He said the initiative would enhance irrigation facilities, alleviate waterlogging, and increase fish production.

The programme also encourages participation of local communities, including voluntary labour, in implementation efforts.

The minister reiterated that the government aims to strengthen the agricultural sector through farmer-friendly policies and establish a sustainable rural economy.

He also urged local residents to take an active role in maintaining and protecting canals, noting that functional waterways would improve agricultural output, facilitate drainage, and accelerate overall regional development.

Among others, Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot and Lalmai) MP Md. Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Chairman (Additional Secretary) Md. Azizul Islam were present as special guests.

The programme was chaired by District Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan and attended by senior government officials, local BNP leaders and activists, representatives of civil society, and members of the public.

The canal re-excavation work has been launched under the BADC’s “B-Strong” project as part of a nationwide initiative to excavate and restore rivers, canals, and ?????? in line with the Prime Minister’s election manifesto.

The project is expected to remove waterlogging in 42 villages of Lalmai upazila, benefiting a large number of residents in the area.