Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has called for bringing fallow and single-crop lands in the Sylhet region under cultivation to increase agricultural production.

He also stressed improving drainage, expanding irrigation facilities and promoting the cultivation of new and non-traditional crops in the region.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a workshop on the

Agricultural Development of Sylhet Region through Modern Technology project, organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension at a hotel in Sylhet city yesterday (August 15).

Muktadir said a significant amount of land in Sylhet’s haor and low-lying areas remains submerged during a particular period of the year.

If proper drainage systems are introduced, a large portion of these lands can be brought under cultivation, he said.

He added that ensuring irrigation during the dry season would create opportunities to grow multiple crops on single-crop land.

Excavation of canals could play an important role in reducing waterlogging and expanding irrigation facilities, the minister said.

He also stressed that agricultural projects should be designed based on the potential of individual areas.

Referring to the success of early watermelon cultivation in Sylhet, Muktadir said farmers were increasingly showing interest in growing new types of crops.

He suggested assessing the potential for beet cultivation in relatively colder areas such as Moulvibazar and Sreemangal.

As beet can be harvested within a relatively short period, it could allow farmers to grow another crop on the same land, he said.

The minister suggested undertaking pilot projects for promising crops and stressed providing farmers with training, modern technology, necessary inputs and government support.

He also said an initiative would be taken to organise a special programme next week involving officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Extension to explore the potential of agriculture and livestock in the Sylhet division.

Agriculture continues to play an important role in the country’s economy, Muktadir said, adding that maximum use of agricultural land is essential to strengthen the rural economy alongside industrial and infrastructure development.

Increasing productivity will help boost food production and enable Bangladesh to further strengthen its position in producing rice and other agricultural commodities, he said.

Praising farmers who are taking risks to cultivate new crops, the minister said those who had taken initiatives to grow watermelon, onion and other crops were opening up new opportunities for agriculture.

Their experience should be utilised to make Sylhet’s agriculture more diversified and profitable, he said.

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Md Mashiur Rahman chaired the workshop.

Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, Sylhet District Council Administrator Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim, Sylhet Red Crescent Society Vice-Chairman Badruzzaman Selim, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury and Project Director Md Rakib Uddin, among others, attended the programme.

Officials of the agriculture department, farmers and journalists were also present.