The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a workshop here on Sunday underscored the need for increasing production of high-valued crops to strengthen the social economy of the country.

They said to make this effort a success, the small and marginal farmers should be encouraged to produce more high-valued crops by providing them need-based training, modern technology and other necessary inputs.

They were addressing the Regional Progress Review Workshop- 2007 organised by Northwest Crop Diversification Project (NCDP) under Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) at the conference hall of Postal Academy.

The workshop was atended by 75 district and upazila level DAE officials.

The main objective of the workshop was to review and analyse the activities of the project including training, demonstration results, problems and observations.

NCDP director Fazlul Haque Chowdhury, team leader Dr RP Ghosh, research associate Dr MR Sharif and crop production specialist Dr AHM Faruque gave their opinion on various aspects of enhancing high-valued crops.

The speakers said the country spends huge foreign currency for importing fruits, spices, cereals, oilseed and pulses every years to meet the domestic demand. But the country has an enormous prospect for increasing production of those crops by utilising the topographical and other natural factors side by side making best use of technology, they said.

There is no alternative to strengthening production of high- valued crops through crop diversification for strengthening rural economy, they said adding, it would be possible to get the expected results by involving small and marginal farmers in the cultivation of high-valued crops.

Officials said the seven-year NCDP involving Taka 341.90 crore is being implemented in 60 Upazilas of 16 northern districts.