Sylhet Bureau :
A day-long regional workshop on networking among agricultural pesticide dealers was held in Sylhet on Wednesday at a hotel in the city.
The workshop was chaired by Md. Khoyer Uddin Molla, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Extension Department (DAE), Sylhet. Dr. Mohammad Kazi Mojibur Rahman, Additional Director of the DAE, Sylhet, attended as the chief guest, while Md. Mashreful Alam, Agriculture Officer of Golapganj Upazila, conducted the program.
Special guests included Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Deputy Director of DAE Habiganj; Karima Akhter, Additional Deputy Director of PP DAE Khamar Bari, Dhaka; and Dr. Mahmudul Islam Nazrul, Chief Scientific Officer of BARI Akbarpur, Moulvibazar.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dilwar Ahmed Chowdhury, Crop Production Specialist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the workshop objectives were presented by Samiron Kumar Singh, Project Coordination Assistant at the FAO.
Officials from various districts and upazilas under the DAE Sylhet region, along with representatives from related agricultural departments, actively participated in the event.
The workshop highlighted the efforts of FAO and POPs in advocating for the safe, eco-friendly, and secure use of pesticides.
It emphasized the need for proper collection and disposal of empty pesticide containers. Speakers stressed the pivotal role pesticide dealers play in ensuring safe agricultural practices. Developing a robust network among dealers is crucial for promoting sustainable pest management and agricultural practices.
The Plant Protection Wing (PPW) of DAE is the sole authority for issuing licenses for pesticide sales and registering new pesticides. Its workforce, operating at the grassroots level, maintains a strong network with dealers and retailers.
The Bangladesh Crop Protection Association (BCPA), a national trade body of pesticide companies, plays a key role in advising the government on pesticide policies and approvals through the Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC).
The primary aim of the workshop was to foster connections among farmers, input suppliers, agribusinesses, and other industry stakeholders. The event sought to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships, contributing to the overall improvement of pesticide management in Bangladesh.
