One of the key objectives of the new government is to create agricultural entrepreneurs across the country, with an aim to engage enterprising youth in income-generating activities.
In order to achieve this goal, the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture has begun a training programme for nearly 50,000 young individuals, aiming to help them become agricultural entrepreneurs. In the first phase, the ministry started training 7,500 individuals.
The first batch of training started on Tuesday in Savar, under the Tissue Culture Laboratory Cum Horticulture Centre Establishment and Development Project. The programme offers practical residential training to around 50 participants per session. After completing the three-day training, participants are connected with various networks, with additional support from both government and private organisations.
Emdad Ullah Mian, secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised the importance of equipping the youth with the necessary training and support to foster agricultural entrepreneurship and propel advancements in agriculture.

“Agriculture of the future will be modern, youth-driven. This training programme will play a vital role in reducing unemployment and promoting overall agricultural development in the country,” he stated.
The ministry is committed to ensuring food security by diversifying crops, increasing the production of nutritious and safe crops, enhancing crop productivity, developing marketing systems, and boosting farmers’ profits, the secretary added.
Previous training sessions have already yielded positive outcomes. For example, Nushrat Nourin Aurpa from Satkhira has successfully sold fruits and vegetables through a nationwide network after receiving her training. She has seen significant profits by selling her products at competitive prices and aims to bring prosperity to her family through increased sales.
The agriculture sector is facing a growing labour crisis, with decreasing interest in farming, particularly among the children of farmers. Additionally, marketing challenges and a lack of skills have made it difficult to maintain profitable agriculture. As a result, the overall agricultural production system in the country is at risk.
In this context, transforming agriculture into a modern and respected profession through the creation of agricultural entrepreneurs is crucial, according to Talha Zubair Masror, project director of the Tissue Culture Laboratory Cum Horticulture Centre Establishment.
“Our training is unique compared to other programmes. Nearly all participants become self-reliant entrepreneurs, capable of developing agriculture into a modern and profitable profession. We provide hands-on training in the field for agricultural entrepreneurs,” he said, adding that the programme aims to produce about 50,000 skilled agricultural entrepreneurs over the next four years through the Snow Flex model.