RAJSHAHI, Nov 2, 2023 (BSS)- Rajshahi University of Engineering and
Technology (RUET) has taken initiative for boosting urban food production
through generating skilled human resources in the related field.

To this end, the Department of Urban Regional Planning (URP) of RUET has
formulated a 100-mark course titled "Sustainable Urban Agri-Food System" very
recently.

The course comprises agriculture, challenges, practices, hydroponics,
aquaponics and vertical farming, soil and water management, socio-economic
aspects of urban agriculture, urban agriculture policies and planning, energy
use and green infrastructure and urban agriculture planning and design.

Teachers of the URP department revealed this while addressing their third
workshop entitled "Green City Initiative Pilot Project in Rajshahi" here
today.

The Department of URP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly
organized the workshop at the conference hall of Rajshahi City Corporation
bringing together stakeholders from different sectors and backgrounds.

Team Leader Dr Mostafizur Rahman gave an illustration on the issue through
his presentation, while his department head Dr Kamruzzaman and Assistant
Professor Dr Abdul Wakil supplemented him by elaborating the draft course and
curriculum.

Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute Dr
Iliash Hossain, Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station Dr
Shafiqul Islam and Prof Aminul Islam and Prof Soeb Ahmed from Rajshahi
University also spoke on the occasion.

They unanimously emphasized the need for more green spaces for minimizing the
adverse impact of climate change together with promoting a healthy
environment, securing urban food systems and affordability.
 
Transforming the Rajshahi city into a sustainable and resilient urban
development is also important for ensuring equitable access to healthy and
locally sourced food.
 
Time has come to envision a vibrant and thriving clean, healthy and green
city where sustainable urban food systems flourish, nourishing both the
residents and the environment.

In the open discussion, the participants exchanged ideas, sharing experiences
and identifying ways to make Rajshahi a greenery and more sustainable city.
 
As a whole, the event provided a platform that discussed the proposed plan
for the Green City Initiative, its challenges and opportunities and the
actions and recommendations needed to support its implementation.
 
The project is intended to envision a vibrant and thriving clean, healthy and
green city where sustainable urban food systems flourish and nourishing both
the residents and the environment.
 
Various other issues, particularly rooftop and homestead gardening,
landscaping with multipurpose tree plantation, vertical farming and
encouraging waste management and setting up compositing facilities at the
households and communities for the utilization in urban farming, were
discussed elaborately.