Cooperative farming key to inclusive economic growth: Agriculture Adviser

Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd), Agriculture Adviser to the interim government, emphasized prioritizing agriculture for inclusive economic growth. He was speaking at a seminar marking World Soil Day 2024 at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Dhaka yesterday as the chief guest.

The event, presided over by Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, also featured Dr. Zhaohui Shi, Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO's Bangladesh Representative, as a special guest.

The Adviser highlighted agriculture's role in reducing unemployment and improving the lives of 70% of the population dependent on the sector. He urged increased applied research in agriculture, emphasizing the need to protect arable land from industrialization.

Discussing fertilizer subsidies, he called for exploring ways to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. He also stressed the necessity of preserving water reservoirs, adopting sustainable soil practices and promoting afforestation.

 Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated the progress in cooperative farming, mechanization and safe food production projects, adding that maintaining soil health is vital for success. With rising population and shrinking farmland, he urged adopting advanced crop varieties and enhancing crop intensity to meet food demands.

The seminar also featured a keynote presentation by Dr. M. Zahir Uddin of Bangladesh Agricultural University.

>>Raihan Ahmed, AA