Thrust on highlighting CHT as orchard of Bangladesh

BANDARBAN, Oct 08 (UNB): Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam stressed the need to highlight the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) as the orchard of Bangladesh.

"Cold storages need to be built to preserve the fruits grown in the CHT. Besides, the number of collection centres needs to be increased to collect and store fruits coming from the remote parts of the region," Sayedul said on Friday.

He made the remarks during a views-exchange meeting with agricultural scientists from Chattogram and the three hill districts that comprise the CHT region, at the conference room of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Bandarban.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sayedul pointed out various measures that need to be taken in order to boost fruit production in the CHT.

"The agricultural loan at 4 per cent interest rate announced by the government needs to be ensured. State-of-the-art technologies must be used to enhance the irrigation system. Most importantly, participation of educated people is necessary for a technology and knowledge-based agricultural system," Sayedul said.

The secretary claimed that no other country in the world provides as much subsidy as Bangladesh in the agricultural sector.