State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that, the main economic driving forces of Bangladesh are agriculture, technology, readymade garments and remittance. Most of the income or revenue of the economic activities of Bangladesh is being earned from these four sources. He said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted to make Bangladesh a golden Bengal through agricultural revolution on the basis of cooperatives. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s daughter, is making the movement for the incomplete economic liberation of that golden Bengal successful.
The state minister stated these points while speaking as the chief guest online at the opening ceremony of the newly constructed building for Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Preservation and the Agricultural Technology Fair-2024 organized at Singra Upazila on Wednesday.
He said, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s dream of Sonar Bangla has been established; our farmers are smiling. Today, Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food because the farmers are getting support in everything including fertilizers, oil, seeds and electricity at fair prices on time. He said Bangladesh has three and a half million agricultural workers. Those who are growing golden crops in the fields, fish farmers are meeting the demand of fish. Besides, poultry industry and dairy industry have developed in the country. As a result, it is possible to meet our needs.
State Minister Palak said, due to the spread of education and the impact of technology, about 16 lakh agricultural workers are decreasing every year, as a result of which there is a huge demand for agricultural workers. This demand cannot be met without the use of modern agricultural technology. That is why Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is providing free agricultural machinery and subsidies to our farmers. About 300 km of canals and 100 km of rivers have been dug in Singra in the last 15 years. As a result of which free irrigation has been provided to the farmers as well as increased fishing opportunities for the fishermen. He also said that in the last 15 years, Singra’s grain production has increased by about 1.5 lakh metric tons and fish production by about 5-7 thousand metric tons.
State Minister Palak said approval has been given for the formulation of a project to set up Fisheries and Livestock Research Center and Agricultural Training Institute at Singra. The establishment of these research centers and training institutes will further increase agricultural and fishery production and enrich the crop and fishery resources. He also said that after meeting the needs of 5 lakh people in Singra, it will also play a role in meeting the food and nutrition needs of other areas of Bangladesh.
Singra Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Singra Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Fisheries Officer, local Awami League leaders and local farmers were present in the event.
Later, the Upazila Animal Resources Officer handed over the combined harvester machines gifted by the Prime Minister to the farmers of Singra. He also distributed 4000 chickens and 400 mango plants to 200 families from ethnic minority group on behalf of the State Minister. Earlier, 1 chicken coup each was distributed among 200 families.