The government has taken various programs to increase the export of agricultural products in the world market. Efforts are being made to improve the agro-processing system for the export of agricultural products at home and abroad. The government is trying to reduce agricultural debt. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting and farmers' gathering organized on the occasion of the inauguration of the two-day litchi fair at Ishwardi in Pabna on Thursday afternoon, Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque MP said these this. The two-day litchi fair was organized by the Bangladesh Krishak Unnayan Society at the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) school ground. It was presided over by Nuruzzaman Biswas, Member of Parliament for Pabna-4 (Ishwardi-Atgharia) constituency. MP from Natore-1 (Lalpur-Bagatipara) constituency Shahidul Islam Bakul also spoke. Earlier, President of Bangladesh Krishak Unnayan Society Siddiqur Rahman Moyez (Kul Moyez) and General Secretary Abul Hashem read out the credentials.
The minister said there are 15 farmers in Ishwardi who have received National Farmers Medal. Here the country is famous and most litchi is produced. That is why the people of Ishwardi deserve congratulations. They are the pride and glory of the country. The local MP and Krishak Unnayan Society demanded to set up an agricultural storage and litchi processing zone at Ishwardi. In the context of this demand, the Minister said, after meeting with the MP, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and other people's representatives in Dhaka, will decide whether something special can be done in Ishwardi for the development of agriculture in the country. BSRI Director General was present at the meeting. Amjad Hossain, Director General of the Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Center. Mirza Mofazzal Hossain, Director General of Pulses and Regional Research Center. Md. Mohiuddin, Pabna District Awami League President Rezaul Rahim Lal, Deputy Commissioner Russell Biswas, Superintendent of Police Mahibul Islam Khan, Ishwardi Upazila Chairman Naib Ali Biswas, Ishwardi UNO PM Imrul Kayes, Upazila Awami League General Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Mintu, Municipal Mayor and Municipal A 'League general secretary Ishaq Ali Malitha and others.
Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Mita Sarkar and BSRI Chief Scientific Officer Kuasha Mahmud were jointly present on the occasion.
Earlier, the minister paid homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu with flowers at the main gate of BSRI. He also visited litchi orchards, research activities of BSRI and Regional Agricultural Research Center at Naodapara in Dashuria of the upazila. There were 30 stalls in the litchi fair. In these stalls, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, Ishwardi government and non-government organizations including Upazila Agriculture Extension Department displayed various materials and equipments used in agriculture.
Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif MP, Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee, will be the chief guest on the closing day of the litchi fair on Friday.