Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has directed that development planning in the agriculture sector should be based on practical data and that farmers must be involved in the process to ensure faster resolution of their problems.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a distribution programme of agricultural inputs held at the Jaintapur Upazila Parishad auditorium. The minister emphasized that farmers should be directly involved in planning based on their needs.
Practical Data and Farmer Involvement
Ariful Haque Chowdhury stressed the need for regular communication with farmers, awareness programmes, and engagement of local representatives to identify crop-based problems and potential solutions. He instructed block supervisors in each union to prepare separate reports identifying soil conditions, drainage systems, suitable crops, farmers' demands, and possible areas of support from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Prompt Resolution and Higher Authorities
The minister emphasized that locally solvable problems should be resolved promptly, while issues requiring additional support should be forwarded to higher authorities through the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). He also highlighted the importance of organizing courtyard meetings and consultation sessions at the field level to raise awareness among farmers about modern agricultural technology, vegetable and fruit cultivation, and safe farming practices.
Poultry and Dairy Sector Reports
At the meeting, instructions were given to prepare detailed reports on the overall situation of the poultry and dairy sectors in the upazila, including vaccine supply, livestock services, and the activities of relevant officials. The minister called upon government officials and employees to perform their duties sincerely and play a more active, coordinated, and people-oriented role in the development of the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Distribution of Agricultural Inputs
Under the agricultural rehabilitation assistance programme, various inputs were distributed among farmers of Jaintapur upazila. Around 1,800 farmers received Aman rice seeds and fertiliser, 500 farmers received summer vegetable seeds and fertiliser, 30 farmers received lemon saplings, 30 farmers received summer aubergine seeds, and 50 farmers received chilli seeds. Additionally, 74 farmers and 38 educational institutions received saplings. The programme was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sunanda Rani.
