The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Gaibandha

Sowing of date and palm seeds has began from July 19 in the district amid much enthusiasm in order to meet the demand of sugar and to maintain the ecological balance.

An inaugural function organised by Sundarganj Upaz-ila administration was held at the Baidyanath Government Primary School at Sonaroy union under the upazila on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner (DC) addressed the function as the chief guest and UNO M. Barad Hossain Chowdhury was present as special guest.

Presided over by Alhaj Zakir Hossain, local UP chairman, the function was also addressed, among others, by upazila education officer M. Anowarul Islam and national award winning head teacher of Shibram Government Primary School M. Nurul Alam. The DC in his speech said the country has been importing a huge quantity of sugar every year by expending hard earned foreign currency.

Laying emphasis on increased production of sugar from date and palm juice side by side with sugarcane, he urged all to sow the seeds of those trees on both sides of the roads and railway tracks and on the campus of various academic institutions on large scale. Later, the DC has formally inaugurated the programme by sowing the seeds of date and palm on the side of Gaibandha-Rangpur Road at Baidyanath area of the upazila. A large number of upazila-level officials, public representatives, NGO activists and the local elite were present on the occasion.

DC office sources said the District Administration has taken a massive plan to sow 6,61,431 date and palm seeds in all the seven upazilas of the district during the current season through different government and non-gover-nment organisations.