At the 36th Annual Planning Conference held at the Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Bogura, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir underscored the need to prioritize research, innovation, and productive activities over political debate. He highlighted that the outcomes of research must reach the field level to increase farmers’ income and further strengthen the rural economy.
The minister pointed out that while political discussions dominate the national discourse, the achievements in research and innovation often do not receive due importance. He stressed that technologies developed by researchers can play a significant role in increasing farmers’ productivity.
Mirza Fakhrul called upon the media to highlight these achievements more extensively. He noted that the biggest problem facing farmers is not production, but ensuring fair prices for their produce. The minister also emphasized the need for increased research on the development of cold storage, preservation, and marketing systems, alongside encouraging private investment in these sectors.
Urging young people to become entrepreneurs, the minister suggested that instead of only pursuing jobs, they should engage in agriculture-based initiatives as well as preservation and marketing systems. This, he said, would create employment opportunities while benefiting farmers.
The function was chaired by Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury and attended by several lawmakers and senior officials, including Bogura-5 lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-1 lawmaker Kazi Rafiqul Islam, and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Md Ehsanul Haque.
