22 leading figures in agriculture selected to be AIPs

The government is going to honour 22 individuals as "Agriculturally Important Persons" (AIP) for their outstanding contributions to the development of the country's agriculture sector in 2021.

The gazette of the selected persons has already been published.

The award will be given in five categories: 10 on agricultural production/commercial farming and agricultural processing industries; two on the production of exportable agricultural items; four on agricultural innovations in technology or breed; three government-recognised organisations (crop, fish, livestock, and forestry sectors) and three Bangabandhu Gold Agriculture Award recipients.

A selection committee has chosen the new AIPs for the 2021 calendar year based on their significant role in the country's overall agriculture sector.

The AIP recipients would enjoy the same facilities as CIPs (Commercially Important Persons).

The selection committee has selected the AIPs as per the AIP Policy-2019.

For the first time, the government honoured 13 farmers with the AIP status for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in 2020.

Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdus Shahid is expected to hand over the awards as the chief guest tomorrow (7 July) at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury will be present as a special guest at this award ceremony.

Meanwhile, the selection process is on for 2022 and 2023 AIP recipients.