Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman said on Saturday that his party, if voted to power, would re-introduce the canal digging programme to supply sufficient water for irrigation in order to help produce more food, considering the country's growing population.
"If voted to power, we [BNP] will re-introduce the canal digging programme launched by late president Ziaur Rahman. It will help ensure sufficient supply of water for irrigation and produce more food," he said while launching a training programme for farmers virtually from London. The training was organised by Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal.
He said Krishak Dal leaders would go to farmers' doorsteps in all unions of the country. "They will motivate farmers by informing them of the programme taken up by the BNP."
Tarique said Krishak Dal would hold farmers' rallies in all unions for the next three months, starting today. He described agriculture as a bigger sector than readymade garment.
"Half the country's population are women, and a significant number of them, along with men, are engaged in this sector. Agriculture now has the highest workforce participation," the BNP leader continued.
He said the solutions to problems in the agriculture sector were mentioned in the BNP's 31-point reform charter.
Stressing the need to produce more food for the country's growing population, he said agriculture must be streamlined. "It is possible to increase the production of rice, onion, and other items to reduce the country's dependency on imports."
Addressing the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the toppled autocratic leader, Sheikh Hasina, was hatching conspiracies against the country and the government from India. He urged the party leaders and workers to move with utmost caution.
He said the people would be able to foil all conspiracies against the country with the leadership of the BNP's acting chairman. He also said Hasina had destroyed the economy and all prospects of the country.
Fakhrul said late president Ziaur Rahman had taken many initiatives, including digging canals for the development of agriculture.
Speaking about the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Fakhrul said November 7 was a historic day for Bangladesh. He said late president Ziaur Rahman had achieved the country's independence and sovereignty through a civil-military revolution on the day.
He went on to say Ziaur Rahman had introduced multi-party democracy in the country instead of the one-party BAKSAL rule.
Acting general secretary of Krishak Dal Mosharraf Hossain and BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu were present, among others, at the event.
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