Manikganj Correspondent:

The project information meeting of Manikganj district under the Dhaka Region Agricultural Development Project was held at the Upazila Parishad Conference Room, Manikganj Sadar today. The Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Krishibid Md. Chaiful Alam, was present as the chief guest at the meeting. In the meeting, he said that no kind of syndicate can be made regarding fertilizers. Dealers will be appointed under government management.

3 dealers will be appointed in each union. In addition, there will be 9 cell centers. A registration committee will be formed with the concerned ministry to appoint dealers. About the project activities, he said that new horizons of sustainable food production will be opened through the implementation of the agricultural development project in the Dhaka region. Cultivable land is rapidly decreasing in the capital and surrounding districts. In this situation, the Department of Agricultural Extension has introduced modern technology, improved seeds and farmer training programs to grow more crops on limited land.

He further said that if this project is successfully implemented, Dhaka region will not only meet the needs of the capital, but will also play a major role in ensuring national food security.

Project Director Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Majumdar said that under the project, improved varieties of rice, vegetables and fruits are being supplied, irrigation facilities are being expanded, organic fertilizers and integrated pesticide management are being introduced. In addition, farmers are being trained on a hands-on basis to improve their skills. Safe vegetable production in urban and suburban home yards is also being given importance.

Regarding the specific objectives of the project, he said that by increasing the existing crop density from 195% to 4-5℅, the crop production in the project area will increase by 7-8%. Food shortage will be reduced from 15% to 12%. Women's participation in income-generating activities will be increased from 30% to at least 3-4% to empower women, create leadership and increase awareness in safe food production.

The application of modern technology will reduce production costs and increase farmers' income. The expansion of drought-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties is also being given importance to address the risks of climate change.

The meeting was welcomed by Shahjahan Siraj, Deputy Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Manikganj. The keynote address was presented by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Majumder, Project Director, Dhaka Region Agricultural Development Project. Abu Md. Enayet Ullah, Former Additional Director, Administration and Finance Wing, Md. Abdus Sattar, Director, Planning, Project Implementation and ICT Wing, Dr. Mohammad Kazi Mojibur Rahman, Additional Director, Administration and Finance Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Dhaka.

Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Additional Director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Dhaka Region, presided over the meeting. MMA Salam, Principal, Agricultural Training Institute, Saturia, Manikganj, AKM H Hasibul Hasan, District Seed Certification Officer, Manikganj were also present at the meeting. In addition, Chief Scientific Officers of various research institutions, Upazila Agricultural Officers, BADC officials, Agricultural Information Service officials, various levels of officials and farmer representatives of Manikganj district were also present at the time.