The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a view exchange meeting here today stressed the need for increasing production and diversifying high-value crops to strengthen the rural economy.

While evaluating the progress of the Northwest Crop Diversification Project (NCDP) at its training-cum-conference hall, they called for involving the small and marginal farmers in the cultivation of high-value crops to promote economic growth side by side with removing rural poverty.

According to the concerned officials, the Taka 341.90 crore NCDP is being implemented in 60 upazilas under 16 northern districts under Rajshahi Division. The project is aimed at improving farm production along with proper marketing through strengthening department of marketing to collect and disseminate accurate, dependable and timely information about the prices and demand of high-value crops.

ADB mission chief Dr Arun Kumar Shaha, NCDP director Fazlul Haque Mollah, DAE additional director Abdul Matin, deputy director Braja Haridas and NCDP manager Dr Shaharukh spoke on the occasion. Some 50 officials representing Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Department of Agricultural Marketing and the NCDP from eight districts of the region attended the meeting.

Speakers observed that production of high-value crops has been increased to a greater extent through implementation of the project. They, however, said the production could be enhanced if the existing problems are solved. The speakers urged the concerned field-level officials to discharge their duties with sincerity and honesty to increase farm income and thereby alleviate poverty through proper diversification of crops. They asked them to support the field extension and training programme, enhance access to better technologies and ensure supply of high-quality planting materials for a wide variety of 33 high-value crops.

Later, they also visited Huzupara village, promoted technologically under the project under Puthiya Upazila of the district.