The New Nation - Internet Edition

Increased usage of eco-friendly cooking furnaces stressed

BSS, Rangpur

Speakers at a ceremony here have stressed the need for increased use of eco-friendly cooking furnaces to reduce consumption of firewood, maintaining congenial environment and avoid many severe diseases. They said this at the concluding ceremony of a five-day training course on 'Training on Preparing Eco-friendly Cooking Furnaces, Exhibition and Expansion of its Uses' at Sadar upazila parishad premises here yesterday.

Manusher Janno Unnayan Sangstha (MJUS) organised the training course and exhibition for both the male and female participants and public representatives for creating mass awareness and popularising the eco-friendly cooking furnaces for its many positive impacts.

Chaired by executive director of MJUS Mostaq Ahmed Khokan, the ceremony was attended by UNO of Sadar upazila Mamtaz Uddin as the chief guest while renowned social worker and 'Sada Moner Manush' Fazilatunnesa Bulu Apa was present as the special guest. Chairman of Tapodhan union Ferdous Alam Shaju, Tampat union chairman Hassan Ali Mian, Upazila Agriculture Officer Alhaj Delbar Hossain, Social Service Officer Mosaddekul Islam, Fisheries Officer Zillur Rahman, addressed.

The speakers said that increased use of the eco-friendly cooking furnaces will not only save firewood but huge number of people including the females and cooks would not be affected by diseases like asthma, cough, cancer, headache etc.

Later, the chief guest distributed certificates among the participants.

Strawberry farming gains popularity in N-region

BSS, Rajshahi

Strawberry farming has started gaining popularity everywhere in northern region for the last couple of years as the fruit has tremendous economic prospect for the grassroots farmers.

Many farmers, including the amateur ones, have been showing interest to cultivate strawberry and searching for its saplings during the current plantation season that will continue till middle of this month.

Talking to BSS on Monday, concerned experts said the growers' level extension of strawberry cultivation as well as its higher value could bring a new dimension to the country's agriculture. Referring to the bright prospects of strawberry cultivation in Bangladesh except the coastal districts, the experts called for an effective motivational campaign for commercial farming of the soft red-juicy fruit.

Professor Dr. Monzur Hossain of Botany Department of Rajshahi University, the pioneer of strawberry research and variety innovation in Bangladesh, said huge enthusiastic growers are coming here from different parts of the country to collect strawberry saplings every day.

"We have already sold 45,000 saplings to 105 farmers out of around 75,000 to 80,000 saplings produced at my farm against the estimated demand for about two lakh," Dr Hossain said adding, "We were astonished by witnessing the farmers' interest in this field. Whereas, he said some 3,500 saplings were sold to 35 farmers during the last season.

The cultivation process of the cash crop is similar to potato, tomato and brinjal, but its market value is much higher.

He said Genetic Engineering Laboratory under Botany Department of RU innovated three varieties of strawberry through applying tissue culture method for the first time in Bangladesh. In the demonstration plot, they were found suitable for the country's soil and environment.

Joint Director of BADC Sarder Salahuddin, who is the president of Bangladesh Strawberry Association (BSA), said one kg of locally produced strawberry is being sold at Taka 1,000 to Taka 1,200 in different markets in the capital city at present. Strawberry is rich in varieties of lifesaving proteins as well as vitamin A, C and E, folic acid, selenium, calcium, polyfenol, alagic, feralic and kumaric acid and cuertcitin, janthomycin and phytostebol. Some of these nutrients can prevent cancer and AIDS, he added.

He said emphasis should be given to dissemination of technological ideas about strawberry farming and its marketing process side by side with innovation of ways and means for further expansion of cultivation of this cash crop.

"We have no alternative to bring diversification in the agricultural activities and to detect the potential fields in the greater interest of bolstering the agricultural economy," Sarder Salahuddin viewed and suggested more need-based supports for the farmers to make the strawberry farming more popular in the country.

Due attention should be given to proper utilisation of the existing natural resources in the agriculture sector for socio-economic development of the countryside, he said.

National Cooperative Day held in Gazipur

Our Correspondent, Gazipur

The 37th Natioanl Co-operative Day was observed in Gazipur organised by District Co-operative Office on November 1.

A discussion meeting was held at Bangha Taj Auditorium in this connection which was presided by Freedom Fighter Md Abdus Sattar Miah. Deputy Commissioner, Gazipur Md Bashanuddin Bhuiyan spoke as chief guest at the function. He explained the aims and objects of Co-operative Movement and called upon all people to be dedicated workers to create a good environment. He also advised in his speech that if one hopes to do anything, there's no substitute way except co-operative. He stated that Farmers and Cultivators should be united to grow more food in Agriculture sector.

Besides Additional Police Super in Gazipur, Zahidul Kabir, Deputy Director, Agriculture Extension Deptt. Nazimuddin Mondal, President, central Co-operative Multipurpose Society (CCMPS), Tongi, Abul Kashem, Chairman Central Co-operative Bank, Moshiur Rhaman and District Co-operative Officer, Reazul Karim addressed as special guests at the function. After discussion a cultural function was arranged by Oriental Multipurpose Co-operative Society in Gazipur.

Cash distributed among SIDR-hit fishermen in Patuakhali

Our Correspondent, Patuakhali

Cash distribution ceremony was held among 514 Sidr affected small-scale fish farmers for rehabilitation in Patuakhali Sadar Upazila auditorium. This programme was inaugurated by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khorshed Alam, as chief guest. The CAARP (Cyclone Affected Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project) supported by the World Fish Centre-Bangladesh and financed by USAID and this project is implemented by a local organisation CDHC (Community Development and Health Care Centre which organised it.

On the inaugural period UNO stated that fishers are getting different kinds of fish rehabilitation package (fingerting, Urea, TSP, mustard oil cake, repairing cost and co-dung applying money) from World Fish Centre to increase fish production by adopting semi-intensive fish culture technology.

The World Fish Centre representative technical specialist Masudur Rahman told that first farmers need to learn fish culture for increasing fish production. During the inaugural session Patuakhali sadar upazila Assistant fishery officer-Nasir Uddin, Field coordinator-Ramesh Chandra, Journalists and elite were present. Under this programme around seven thousand fish farmers in Patuakhali district have got different kinds of fisheries inputs.

JS Election -08 Mononesh seeks nomination from Jatiya Nagorik Party

Our Correspondent, Muktagacha

Mononesh Dash, an organising secretary of Jatiya Nagorik Party Central Committee and journalist seeks nomination in the Mymenisngh-5 constituency Muktagacha upazila. He has been upholding the ideals of journanatism in all walks of life. If he succeeds he will sacrifice his life for the welfare and development of Muktagacha.

Scholarships distributed in Muktagacha

Our Correspondent, Muktagacha

Mizan Noorzahan (MN) Scholarships were distributed at MN International School compound in Muktagacha under the Muori Memorial Foundation. The function was organised by MN International School and College, Muktagacha. Jessore Science and Technical University VC Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam Sarker was the chief guest. CBST executive director Mohammed Kamrul Hashan Milon, Founder MN International School and College Mohammed Mizanur Rahman was special guest. Principal of Ancholic Someboy Institute, Muktagacha AFM Eahia Khan was in the chair.

Among other guests Mohammed Abu Harresh, Education Officer Mymensingh, Tahmina Khatun Education officer Muktagacha, Asaduzzaman OC Muktagacha, Thana Nazmunnahar Dilu Panel Chairman-2 Muktagacha pourasava were present on the occasion. Speakers called upon the young scholars to obey their guardians.

Freshers reception held in Gaibandha

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

The newly admitted students of Gaibandha Government Women's College (GGWC) were accorded a grand reception on the premises of the Institution of the town here on November 04 amid much enthusiasm.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abu Muhammad Yousuf addressed the function as chief guest. Presided over by Professor Atiqa Banu, Principal of the college, the function was also addressed, among others, by vice principal M. Zakaria and vice president of Students Parishad Rabbi Sakila Nasrin.

Earlier, the students received the new students by offering the sticks of flowers.

DC in his speech asked the students to be more serious and attentive in study to make brilliant results in the examinations and to be worthy citizens of the country.

News briefs

Terror held with arms in Shariatpur

SHARIATPUR, Nov 6: Police arrested a terrorist along with a firearm from Loancing Bakultala area of Naria Upazila on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Maran Sarder, 25, from the area in the afternoon when he went there to commit a crime. They also recovered a 9mm pistol from his possession. Police said, Maran, son of Hanif Sarder, was involved in terrorist activities in the area since long. A case was filed against him under Arms Act, reports UNB.

Cultural talent hunt programme

BANDARBAN, Nov 6: Bandarban Army Region is going to start upazila-level cultural talent hunt programme-2008 in the district from November 9. Cultural activists, aged between 10 and 25, will take part in the hunt in four categories - dance, song, reciting poetry and acting. The programme will be organized in seven upazilas of the district under the supervision of local administration and five zones of Bangladesh Army. Finale of the programme will be held at Tribal Cultural Institute auditorium in December. GOC of 24 Infantry Division is expected to attend the finale as chief guest, who will hand over prize money and crests among the winners, reports UNB.