Canal re-excavation begins in Lalmai as minister highlights farmer support

Minister for Food, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said the government has proved through the implementation of its election pledges that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is not engaged only in politics of words, but is working in practice to meet people's expectations.

He made the remarks this afternoon while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the re-excavation of a branch canal of the Dakatia River at Dosharichon mouza in Lalmai upazila, and at a programme held on a field adjacent to the canal.

The minister said that before the election, BNP had pledged to introduce family cards to support poor and distressed women, and that implementation of the programme began soon after the polls. He added that preparations to launch a farmer card to support farmers are now almost complete and expressed hope that it would be introduced around Pohela Boishakh.

He said around 70% of the country's people are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. If the economic capacity of farmers increases, the country's overall economy will also be strengthened, he said, adding that the government has already taken a number of supportive measures, including agricultural loan waivers.

Amin Ur Rashid further said that BNP, after coming to power, had promised to restart canal excavation programmes in the spirit of those undertaken during the time of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. As part of that commitment, canal re-excavation and renovation activities have already begun in different parts of the country.

He said the canal restoration work would increase irrigation facilities, reduce waterlogging and create greater scope for fish production. He added that steps had also been taken to implement these activities on a voluntary basis with the involvement of local people.

The minister said the government's goal is to further strengthen the agricultural sector and place the rural economy on a sustainable footing through farmer-friendly policies.

He called on local people to play an active role in protecting and managing canals, saying that if the canals remain functional, agricultural production will increase, drainage will improve and the overall development of the area will accelerate.

Cumilla-10 MP Md Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Md Azizul Islam, an additional secretary, were present as special guests at the event. Deputy Commissioner Md Reza Hasan presided over the programme.

Senior officials from various government departments, leaders of local BNP and its associate bodies, representatives of civil society and local residents were also present.

According to the organisers, canal excavation work under the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation's "B-Strong" project began today in Lalmai upazila of Cumilla district as part of the nationwide programme for dredging and re-dredging rivers, canals and reservoirs announced in the Prime Minister's election manifesto.

They said the canal excavation work would help remove waterlogging in 42 villages of Lalmai upazila, benefiting a large number of people in the area.