In an effort to mitigate the risks faced by Haor’s Boro crops due to past instances of floods, the government has taken several measures to protect the agricultural sector.
Agriculture Minister Md Abdus Shahid said this while talking as the chief guest at the Boro Paddy Cutting Festival oraganised by District Administration and Department of Agriculture Extension held in Sadar Upazila of Sunamganj on Friday, says a press release. The minister put emphasis on swift action to bring ripe paddy to farmers’ homes, particularly in Haor areas. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government is providing combine harvesters and reapers for rice harvesters with a 70 percent subsidy.
Encouraging farmers to adopt early and short-lived varieties of paddy, the minister suggested them to explore new high-yield paddy varieties developed by the country’s scientists. These initiatives aim to ensure continued crop production despite the risk of floods.
Responding to reporters’ inquiries regarding the pricing of paddy, the agriculture minister announced plans to organize a meeting within two days to determine a fair price for paddy.
He said, “The government is committed to ensuring that farmers receive fair price. He also inspired the farmers to cultivate more rice. There is a need for strict monitoring to prevent middlemen from exploiting rice prices. Local government officials must monitor paddy sales and thwart the establishment of syndicates.”
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Member of Parliament and former minister MA Mannan, Member of Parliament Mohammad Sadiq, and Member of Parliament Ranjit Chandra Sarker. Additionally, senior officials from several ministries and agencies were present to show their support for agricultural development in the region.
According to the deputy director of Sunamganj's Agricultural Extension Department, over 1,000 combine harvesters are currently in operation in the district, with a significant number provided by the government.
Later, the agriculture minister distributed combine harvesters among the farmers, symbolizing the government's dedication to supporting agricultural growth and resilience in the face of natural challenges.