Govt plans overseas training for farmers

The government is planning to send farmers abroad for advanced training to enhance their skills and introduce modern agricultural practices in Bangladesh.

The matter came in the discussion among other issues during the first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Agriculture held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.

Strengthening fertilizer distribution, improving soil quality, reducing excessive use of pesticides and increasing production of agricultural commodities to reduce import dependence were also discussed in the meeting.

Chairman of the parliamentary committee Md Shahadat Hossain chaired the meeting where Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid also attended. The meeting was attended by committee members Md Shahidul Islam, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Md Rokon Uddin Babul, Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Mst Sabira Sultana, Md Golam Rasul and Md Abdul Bari Sardar.

The agriculture minister said that the country would move forward if agriculture advanced and farmers are strengthened. He expressed optimism about achieving self-sufficiency in the production of ginger, chilli, tomatoes, onions and other agricultural products by reducing import dependence. He also stressed the need to make agricultural production more export-oriented.

The meeting emphasised avoiding conventional and excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides and increasing the use of organic fertilisers to promote sustainable agriculture.

The Agriculture Ministry informed the committee that more fertiliser had been supplied to farmers at the field level this year compared with previous years.

The agriculture minister said that efforts were taken to ensure greater transparency in the appointment of fertilizer dealers. In this regard, the Fertilizer Distribution Policy 2026 have been issued.

Other issues on the agenda included establishing a flower research centre and a soil research centre at Gadkhali in Jashore, expanding cotton cultivation in unused areas in both hilly and plain regions, and promoting maize, sweet potato and peanut cultivation on char lands.