“Alongside traditional crops, it’ll have to increase cultivation, production and processing of different non-traditional crops including cashew nut, coffee and dragon fruit. Farmers will be given all-out cooperation,” he said while distributing cars for upazila agriculture officers.

The Minster joined the function through a virtual channel from his residence in the city, said a handout of the ministry.

Dr Razzaque said it is possible to cultivate different crops including cashew nut and coffee in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and many northern districts of the country. Besides, the demands and prices of the crops are very high in the international market. “So, it’ll have to enhance cultivation and processing of these crops,” he said.

He said there is not so much scope for expanding the cultivable lands rather the arable land is declining day by day. So, it’ll have to produce crops in the same land again and again as well as bringing diversity in crops, he added.

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The Agriculture Minister said the government is now giving much importance to commercialisation and mechanisation of agriculture. The main objective of the government is to make agriculture profitable for the farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman and Additional Secretary (extension) Md Hasanuzzaman Kallol, among others, spoke at the function presided over by Director General of Agricultural Extension Department Dr Md Abdul Muyeen.    

Some 51 double cabin pickups were given to 51 upazilas in the current fiscal year under the Farmers’ Training at Upazila Level for Transfer of Technology ( 3rd phase) Project.