Agriculture plays vital role in country's economy: Muhith

SYLHET, Dec 23: Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said agriculture has a huge contribution to the country's economy. Praising the role of the agriculturists in making the country's economy self-reliant, he stressed the need for improving the farming system by adopting modern technology and inputs.

"Agriculture has a huge contribution to the country's growing economy. The agriculturists have a laudable role in making our economy self reliant, yet there are scopes to improve the farming system through adopting modern technology and inputs," the finance minister said while addressing a function as the chief guest after inaugurating a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) campus on Saturday.

Former permanent representative to the United Nations Dr AK Abdul Momen, SAU syndicate members Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, MP, and Dr Ahmed Al Kabir, Upazila Chairman Ashfaque Ahmed, district Awami League General Secretary Shofiqur Rahman Chowdhury, SAU Professor Dr Matiar Rahman Hawlader and Ward Councilor Azadur Rahman Azad were present, among others, and spoke at the inaugural function, chaired by SAU VC Professor Golam Shahi Alam.

Finance Minister Muhith said Bangladesh's agricultural production has increased to 30 million tonnes per year now which was 11 million tonnes at the time of the country's liberation, despite a decline in farmland.

He urged the SAU teachers and researchers to work hard with the view to reaching the fruit of their innovation and achievements, and the modern farming technology to the farmers. He also called for setting a target of bringing the 70,000 hectares of arable lands in Sylhet region under cultivation.

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