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Agricultural experts have called for stronger coordination among stakeholders to expand the cultivation of BARI Masur-8, an improved lentil variety, to increase pulse production, raise farmers’ incomes and improve access to nutritious food.
They stressed the need to raise farmers’ awareness of the variety’s characteristics, cultivation methods and potential benefits, alongside ensuring the availability of quality seeds and providing necessary technical support.
The experts made the call at a Regional Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Promotion of BARI Masur-8 held at the hall of the Additional Director’s Office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi on Saturday.
The DAE and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) jointly organised the workshop.
DAE Director Obaidur Rahman Mondal attended as the chief guest, while DAE Additional Director Dr Azizur Rahman chaired the event. DAE Deputy Director Dr Abu Zafar Al Munsur presented the keynote paper.
The workshop highlighted promotional activities for BARI Masur-8, the project’s objectives and implementation strategies. It also featured an introduction to the project, video screening, presentations on activities in different upazilas and an open discussion.
Speakers emphasised the importance of promoting the variety at the field level, providing farmers with appropriate advice and ensuring a reliable supply of quality seeds to increase its acceptance among growers.
Addressing the workshop, Obaidur Rahman Mondal said initiatives were being taken to expand the cultivation of improved lentil varieties to increase national pulse production, create opportunities to raise farmers’ incomes and ensure the wider availability of nutritious food.
He said the initiatives aimed to increase awareness of BARI Masur-8, build its acceptance among farmers and ensure the supply of quality seeds.
Strengthening coordination among stakeholders involved in every stage, from production to marketing, was another key objective of the workshop, he added.
Mondal stressed that agricultural officers working at the field level must play an effective role alongside ensuring the availability of quality seeds. He said coordinated efforts by all concerned could help achieve progress in expanding cultivation of the variety.
Special guests included DAE Additional Director for the Bogura Region Abdul Wadud; Deputy Director Mostafa Kamal Hossain; Chapainawabganj Deputy Director Atikul Islam; Natore Deputy Director Habibur Islam Khan; and GAIN official Tasfi Sultana.
Bagha Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist MA Mannan conducted the programme, while DAE Rajshahi Region Deputy Director Sabina Begum delivered the welcome address.
Agricultural officers from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore and Pabna, along with representatives of relevant institutions, attended the workshop.
Participants shared their views on strengthening promotional activities for BARI Masur-8, providing technical assistance to farmers and establishing effective links between production and marketing.
