PRAN honours journalists to promote agro-industry reporting
Seven journalists have received the inaugural Bangladesh Agro-Industry Media Award 2025 for excellence in reporting on the nation's agriculture and agro-processing sectors.
The awards were presented on Saturday (6 June 2026) at the MCCI Conference Room in Gulshan, Dhaka.
In the print media category, the winners are Sukanta Halder of The Daily Star, and Rafikul Islam and M Munir Hossain of The Daily Sun.
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Delowar Hossain Dolon of Channel 24 and Rakib Hossain of Ekattor TV received awards in the television category.
Nazmul Hossain of Jagonews24.com and Shariful Rukon of Ekusheypatrika.com were recognised in the online media category.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon handed over the awards as chief guest.
Distinguished guests included Hasan Hafiz, President of the National Press Club; Eleash Mridha, Managing Director of PRAN Group; and Kamruzzaman Kamal, Director of Marketing.
The Bangladesh Agro-Industry Media Award, introduced this year by PRAN Group—one of the country's leading agro-processing companies—aims to recognise journalists making significant contributions through their reporting on agriculture and agro-processing.
Seven journalists were honoured for outstanding reports published in 2025 across print, television, and online categories.
A three-member jury board selected the winners based on special reports highlighting the agro-processing sector.
The jury comprised Professor Robaet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; Khurshid Ahmad Farhad, General Manager, Bombay Sweets & Co. Ltd.; and Mohammad Touhidul Islam, Director of Outreach and Communication, Transparency International Bangladesh.
Speaking at the event, Zahir Uddin Swapon underscored the importance of agriculture and agro-industry for Bangladesh's economy.
He thanked PRAN Group for the initiative, describing it as a product of thoughtful planning and long-term vision rather than mere formality.
He noted agriculture's substantial contribution to GDP, employment, and the overall economy.
He congratulated the awardees and urged other journalists to produce more investigative reports on the prospects of agriculture and agro-industries.
He added that the Ministry of Information would compile such reports and convey recommendations to policymakers.
He said such initiatives encourage journalists and incentivise the broader economy.
Eleash Mridha said the agro-processing sector is among the most promising industries in Bangladesh. With proper support, it can play an even greater role in economic development and could emerge as a major export sector after readymade garments. He said the award aims to encourage evidence-based journalism and inspire exploration of both opportunities and challenges within the agro-processing industry, noting Bangladesh has significant potential to expand agro-processed exports, as seen in ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
He added that journalists are key stakeholders whose reporting has consistently advanced the industry. In-depth coverage of marketing and export challenges, he said, is crucial for further sector development.
He announced that the Bangladesh Agro-Industry Media Award will be organised annually.
