Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Saturday said the government is preparing an accurate list of farmers affected by the recent floods across the country to ensure they receive rehabilitation assistance without delay.
He said local administrations are collecting accurate information on affected farmers and cultivators following the Prime Minister's directives. “Once the lists are prepared at the union and ward levels, the government will provide necessary assistance to help farmers recover and resume agricultural activities quickly,” he said.
The minister made this remark, while talking to reporters after inaugurating a week-long tree plantation campaign and tree fair at the Cumilla Town Hall ground, said a PID handout here.
Addressing the tree plantation campaign, the minister said the government is firmly committed to turning Bangladesh into a clean, green, and pollution-free nation. So, the government is implementing a massive tree plantation programme in the country, he added.
To mitigate post-harvest losses and protect farmers from price volatility, the minister announced a massive infrastructure plan. The government has initiated a phased programme to set up mini-cold storage facilities across the country.
“Several are already operational, and we have planned to construct over 2,000 additional mini-cold storages in the near future,” he added.
Highlighting the vital role of agriculture, the minister stated that around 75 percent of the country’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on farming. So, improving farmers' livelihoods, ensuring fair prices, and transforming agriculture into a highly profitable sector remain core government priorities, he said.
Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, Deputy Commissioner Rosy Akter, Cumilla Social Forest Division's Divisional Forest Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, and Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman, among others were present at the inaugural event.
Earlier, the minister participated in a colorful rally held to mark the opening of the tree fair and visited various stalls featuring fruit, forest, and medicinal saplings.