Govt aims to turn Sylhet into a major vegetable production and export hub: Muktadir

Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government aims to transform Sylhet into one of the country’s major vegetable production and export hubs.

“To achieve this goal, the government is focusing on modernizing agriculture, ensuring planned year-round vegetable production, expanding the use of agricultural machinery, improving storage facilities and boosting exports to international markets,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a ceremony for distributing subsidized agricultural machinery and free low-lift pumps (LLPs) at the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Auditorium.

The Upazila Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension organized the programme under the Flood Reconstruction Emergency Assistance Project.

Muktadir said the government is prioritizing planned vegetable cultivation throughout the year, improved irrigation facilities, the reduction of waterlogging and the development of facilities to preserve agricultural produce.

He said the government aims to bring every cultivable plot in Sylhet Sadar upazila under year-round cultivation.

Necessary initiatives, including canal excavation, are being taken to achieve the target.

The minister urged farmers to ensure proper use of the agricultural machinery distributed under government subsidies so that they can fully benefit from the equipment.

Highlighting Sylhet’s potential for vegetable exports, Muktadir said there are opportunities to export locally produced vegetables to markets serving expatriate Bangladeshis in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Italy, among other countries.

To tap these opportunities, he said, the region needs proper production planning, consistent product quality, improved packaging and better storage facilities.

The minister said initiatives are being taken to establish a packaging house and cold storage facilities in the vicinity of Sylhet airport.

He added that areas suitable for producing different types of vegetables in different seasons would be identified to develop a coordinated production plan.

This would help ensure a year-round supply of vegetables and expand export opportunities in international markets, he said.

Muktadir expressed hope that visible changes would take place in Sylhet’s agriculture and overall development over the next five years.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun presided over the programme.

Chairman of the Sylhet Development Authority (SUDA) Rezaul Hasan Koyes Lodi, Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP President Nasim Hossain and Sylhet Divisional Sports Association Member Secretary Siddiqur Rahman Paplu attended the event as special guests.

Earlier, the minister distributed water purification filters to government primary schools in Sylhet Sadar upazila.