State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharya has emphasized increasing the use of technology in agricultural production system. Noting that a sustainable agricultural system is not possible without technology, he said that in order to increase the use of advanced technology at the marginal farmers’ level, the government and the private sector should take concerted initiatives.
The state minister further said that the present government is the government of the farmers. The government is not only the friend of the farmers, but also the tender one. The government is working on priority basis to implement the hopes and aspirations of farmers.
This was stated by State Minister Swapan Bhattacharya at the inaugural function of the 10th International Agricultural Technology Fair at Bashundhara, International Convention City, Dhaka on Thursday.
He informed that various programs are being implemented for the development of agriculture and farmers in the hope of building a modern and prosperous country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The government is subsidizing farmers to buy combined harvesters for harvesting paddy. The biggest advantage is that the government subsidizes half of the total price of agro-entrepreneurs or farmers’ associations who buy harvesters. In Haor it is 70 percent.
He hoped that the country would be successful in promoting and disseminating domestic technology through manufacturing of agricultural machinery and expansion of modern agricultural machinery and would also be able to play an important role in the national economy.
Dr. Khalil Ahmed, Director General, Rural Development Academy, Bogra presided over the inaugural function.
Prof. Dr. Manjurul Alam, Director, Bangladesh Agricultural University; Dr. Ferdous Hossain Khan, Director RDA and Kazi Sarwar Uddin, Director, Limra Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Ltd., Dhaka spoke among others in the event.
Ekushey Medal-winning academician Prof. Dr. Jahangir Alam presented the keynote address at the event. .
