The ongoing canal excavation programme under the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) will be completed within the scheduled timeframe next year, Agriculture and Fisheries ans Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said on Saturday.
Speaking at an views exchange meeting with officials of the agriculture, fisheries and livestock departments from the Cumilla region at the Cumilla Circuit House, the minister said all relevant agencies had been instructed to ensure the timely completion of the project and were working according to their assigned responsibilities.
He said the government was also stepping up efforts to help farmers adapt to the impacts of climate change, particularly in flood-prone and coastal areas.
As part of the initiative, the government plans to introduce 118 new rice varieties to reduce crop losses caused by floods and other climate-related challenges. In the first phase, 30 tonnes of seed will be distributed, he said.
The minister added that research is underway to develop new salt-tolerant rice varieties for Bangladesh’s coastal belt, where increasing soil salinity has become a major challenge for agricultural production.
He said agricultural scientists were continuing research and development to produce more climate-resilient and high-yielding rice varieties, adding that such efforts would continue to strengthen the country’s food security and support farmers in adapting to climate change.
Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Rozi Akter and senior officials from the agriculture, fisheries and livestock departments attended the meeting.
