RAJSHAHI, May 21, 2023 (BSS)- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahariar Alam, MP, urged the field-level agricultural officials and others concerned to expand the modern technologies to the grassroots farmers for boosting agricultural production.

He also called for substantial and sustainable expansion of modern agricultural technologies to the grassroots farmers for boosting yield to meet the gradually mounting demands.

 Substantial and sustainable expansion of modern technologies can be the effective means of making the agriculture sector profitable and successful that is very important for ensuring food security.

State Minister Shahariar Alam came up with the observation while inaugurating a three-day Agriculture Technology Fair-2023 in the district as chief guest on Saturday.

 The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) organised the fair supported by the project titled "Agriculture Development Project of Rajshahi Division through Extension of Modern Technology" at Bagha Upazila Parishad Complex.

 Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan and Additional Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam also spoke on the occasion.

 Shahriar Alam said the present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has attached top priority on the agriculture sector to boost its yield to meet the country's demand.

 So, all the officials and staff concerned should discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty to supplement the government endeavor after the best uses of modern technologies, he said.

He said the government has set a target of doubling the food production, while maize production to one crore tonnes from the existing 50 lakh tonnes by 2030.

 The meeting was apprised that the five-year project is being implemented in 67 upazilas of all eight districts in the division at a cost of around Tk 147.03 crore since January, 2020.

Around 86,430 farmers and 7350 others will be imparted training aimed at successful expansion of modern tech in the agriculture sector in the division with intervention of the project.

 
Another 93,780 people, including 86,430 farmers will be brought under a two-day need-based training course in different batches as 25,820 demonstrations of new technologies and crop varieties and plants will be made.

 Upon successful implementation by December, 2024, the project will help increase cropping intensity to 242 percent from 237 percent through expansion of modern agriculture technologies.

 Besides, the project is intended to enhance production of paddy, pulse and oilseed to 12 percent each, wheat and maize to 10 percent each, spice to 13 per cent, vegetables to 15 percent and fruits to 14 percent.

State Minister Shahriar Alam also distributed prizes among 30 successful farmers as recognition for their laudable contribution in the farming field.