On Thursday (November 5) morning, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam inaugurated the fair at the International Convention City Bashundhara. The fair will continue until November 7.

Jointly organized by the Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura, and Limra Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, this year's fair has about 250 institutions from 12 countries displaying modern agricultural technology, mechanization, food processing, agricultural product preservation and various innovations in 53 stalls.

In his inaugural speech, the State Minister said the government is working to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve farmers' living standards by increasing the use of modern technology and machinery. He said 40 percent of water can be saved by supplying water through underground pipelines. He also emphasized the proper use of fertilizer and increasing the use of organic fertilizer.

Informing about the decision to dig 52 new wells to overcome the gas crisis, the State Minister said there is good news of finding new gas from Bhola, Noakhali and Titas. He also spoke about plans to export potatoes and vegetables by setting up a starch powder factory from surplus potatoes in the northern region and transforming Bogura Airport into an international airport with cargo facilities.

Special guest RDA Director General Abdul Majid Pramanik emphasized the expansion of technology-driven agriculture and mechanization. In his presidential speech, Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Dr. Rafiqul E. Mohammed highlighted the importance of such fairs for sustainable agricultural development through public-private partnership.