Observance of National Tree Plantation Campaign and Opening of IUBAT Agricultural Call Center organized by the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) of IUBAT

Venue: IUBAT Open Auditorium, Sector-10, Uttara, Dhaka

Date: July 17, 2018

The College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) of IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Uttara, Dhaka, organized the Observance of National Tree Plantation Campaign and Opening of IUBAT Agricultural Call Center at University campus on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Dr. Abdul Muyeed, Director, Field Services Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Dhaka was present on the function as the honorable Chief Guest. The Chief Guest in his speech disclosed that, at present, a total of about 4 crore metric tons of food is being produced in Bangladesh and Bangladesh ranks 10^th position in agricultural sector. To cope up with climate change, at present production and development of food grains should be done to meet up the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). We need to develop salt tolerant varieties of rice. Through tissue culture and genetic engineering, improved varieties of rice should be developed.

Now there are many agricultural apps and software which can be utilized by the students and the researchers for learning and application to grow up-to date crops. It is not possible only by the effort of the Department of Agricultural Extension to develop agricultural sectors but the private sectors also should come forward to participate for the overall development. He suggested all to produce and consume foods which are safe and free of adulteration. He requested the agricultural students of IUBAT to engage themselves whole heartedly into fields of research and development of the country. He encouraged the students to join as agriculture cadre through BCS examination. The chief guest thanked and congratulated the IUBAT authority for the National Tree Plantation Program and Inauguration of Agricultural Call Center.

Through tissue culture and genetic engineering, improved varieties of rice should be developed. Now there are many agricultural apps and software which can be utilized by the students and the researchers for learning and application to grow up-to date crops. It is not possible only by the effort of the Department of Agricultural Extension to develop agricultural sectors but the private sectors also should come forward to participate for the overall development. He suggested all to produce and consume foods which are safe and free of adulteration. He requested the agricultural students of IUBAT to engage themselves whole heartedly into fields of research and development of the country. He encouraged the students to join as agriculture cadre through BCS examination. The chief guest thanked and congratulated the IUBAT authority for the National Tree Plantation Program and Inauguration of Agricultural Call Center.

Professor Dr. Md. Shohidullah Miah, Professor and Director, of CAS highlighted the important role of trees on the National Tree Planting Campaign and IUBAT Agricultural Call Center. Besides, he recalled the contribution and direction of late Prof. Dr. M. Alimullah Miyan, the Founder Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT for establishing the Agricultural Canter Center. He believed that through this call center the farmers and the agro-entrepreneurs of Bangladesh will be benefited.

Professor Dr. M. A. Hannan, Chairman, CAS, thanked the faculties of the College of Agricultural Sciences for organizing National Tree Plantation Campaign and Opening of IUBAT Agricultural Call Center.

Professor Dr. Abdur Rab, Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT, in his presidential speech thanked the faculties of the College of Agricultural Sciences for the initiation of National Tree Plantation Campaign and also for Opening IUBAT Agricultural Call Center under CAS. At present, there is inequality in production and supply of food. In view of overcoming this problem the faculties of CAS can do timely research and through this call center reliable information can be disseminated.

Professor Dr. Mujibur Rahman Khan delivered the welcome address. Professor Khan in his speech lauded the theme of creating CAS on the first day of the University. He appreciated the far-reaching vision of Prof. Miyan in introducing the BSAg program from its beginning, following the importance of agriculture in Bangladesh. He mentioned the promise of former Mayor, Mr. Annisul Huq who declared to setting up a foot over bridge in front of the main gate two years ago.

Dr. Md Rehan Dastagir read the essay titled “Preservation of environment and sustainable development of National Tree Plantation”. In his article, he highlighted the harmful effects of the environment due to the increase of global warming and emphasized the need for planting local trees at a higher rate to overcome those effects.

Professor Dr. Anil Chandra Basak delivered a short demonstration on the importance, benefits and specialties of IUBAT Agricultural Advisory Services (IAAS) or the call center. He also described the features, mode of getting services, monitoring and evaluation of call center in addition to contents of the inaugurated website for the farmers and end-users.

Professor Dr. Sayadur Rahman, Faculty of Agriculture, IUBAT thanked everyone and announced the end of the program with the approval of the president.

Other faculty members of the College of Agricultural Sciences present at the program were Professor Dr. Imdadul Haque, Professor Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Professor Dr. Md. Salahuddin, Dr. Farzana Sultana, Dr. Shaila Sharmin, Professor Dr. Md. Salim Ullah Khan Yusufzai, Dr. Ferdous Ahmed and teachers of other faculties were also present.