Sylhet Bureau:
A national workshop focusing on the annual evaluation and future planning of the Sylhet Region Agricultural Development Project through Modern Technology (1st Revised) was held at a prominent hotel in Sylhet on Saturday afternoon. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khamarbari, Dhaka, and the project authorities.
Md. Saiful Islam, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, attended the workshop as the chief guest.
In his address, he emphasized that the application of science-based modern agricultural technologies has significantly boosted the country’s agricultural productivity and has positively impacted the national economy. He highlighted the government’s initiatives in strengthening agricultural linkages, ensuring fair distribution of inputs, increasing investment in agricultural research, and promoting the development and expansion of high-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties.
“These innovations have brought diversification in the production of food grains, vegetables, and fruits, leading to remarkable progress in crop yields and ensuring the country’s food security,” he said.
The chief guest noted that numerous initiatives have already been undertaken to cultivate fallow lands in the Sylhet region by adopting appropriate agricultural technologies. “As a result, the extent of uncultivated land in the region has significantly decreased. Local farmers and entrepreneurs are now showing increased interest in agriculture, particularly in growing new and improved crop varieties,” he added. He urged all stakeholders to work sincerely and join hands with the government to enhance agricultural output and reduce reliance on remittance-driven income.
The workshop was chaired by Dr. Mohammad Kazi Mojibur Rahman, Additional Director (Administration and Finance Wing), DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka.
Prominent figures who attended the workshop as special guests included Dr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Additional Director, DAE Sylhet Region; Dr. Abdul Mukit, Professor, Sylhet Agricultural University; Dr. Mahmudul Islam Nazrul, Chief Scientific Officer, BARI Akbarpur, Moulvibazar; and Dr. Mohammad Fuad Mondal, Chief Scientific Officer, SIKRBI.
Md. Rakib Uddin, Project Director of the Sylhet Region Agricultural Development Project through Modern Technology, delivered the welcome address.
The event began with recitations from the Holy Quran by farmer representative Abdul Karim and from the Gita by SAAO Suman Ghosh.
The workshop was attended by officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Agricultural Information Service, Seed Certification Agency (SCA), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Bangladesh Water Development Board, and Power Development Board. Also present were Upazila Agriculture Officers, Agricultural Extension Officers, NGO representatives, industry stakeholders, public representatives, journalists from both print and electronic media, and local farmers.
