Although a target of nearly two lakh seedlings has been set for distribution across four districts of the Khulna agricultural region, less than half had been distributed by the end of June. The agriculture department says distribution is being pushed ahead quickly and the target can be met within the set time.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Khulna region, a target has been set to distribute a total of 1,95,900 fruit, timber and medicinal-tree seedlings across four districts — Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail. But by 30 June, 93,945 seedlings had been distributed, about 48 percent of the total target.
Among the four districts, Bagerhat is furthest ahead: 48,155 of 56,300 seedlings have been distributed there, 86 percent of the target. In Satkhira, 37,110 of 48,600 seedlings have been distributed, about 76 percent. In Khulna, only 8,680 of 67,950 seedlings have been distributed, just 13 percent of the target. Narail is furthest behind: against a target of 23,050 seedlings, distribution had not even begun by 30 June, though the agriculture department said it would start there within a day or two.
To implement a nationwide tree-planting programme under the agricultural rehabilitation support head this financial year, the government has announced an incentive package of 53.66 crore taka. Under it, 16,28,000 fruit, timber and medicinal-tree seedlings are being distributed free in the country’s 64 districts. As directed by the agriculture ministry’s Inputs-2 wing, the seedlings are being distributed in four categories, each supplied with 30 kg of organic fertiliser, a bamboo stake and other necessary supporting materials to make care easier and raise survival rates, the department believes.
DAE Khulna region additional director Rafiqul Islam said each farmer or institution was being given five seedlings, to be planted in home yards, fallow land, canal banks, roadsides, educational and religious institutions and other vacant spaces. “Seedlings are being distributed through a master roll after verifying beneficiaries’ agriculture cards, national ID cards and mobile numbers, which ensures transparency in the whole process,” he said.
According to experts, fruit, timber and medicinal trees protect the environmental balance while also ensuring extra income for farmers in the long term. Fruit trees can meet nutritional needs and earn income from surplus fruit, timber trees help meet demand for wood, and medicinal trees can play an important role in local health care and the herbal industry. Extensive tree planting also contributes importantly to tackling the adverse effects of climate change, absorbing carbon, controlling temperature, preventing soil erosion and conserving biodiversity.
Although seedling distribution has made significant progress in Bagerhat and Satkhira, the overall programme is not yet satisfactory because of the slow pace in Khulna and Narail. The agriculture department hopes that with coordinated efforts at district and upazila level, distribution will be completed quickly, and that the Khulna region will also make an important contribution to the government’s target of planting 25 crore trees over five years.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report