Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin said that the government has taken the initiative to increase the production of high-quality agar resin by using modern technology through special innovation projects. Currently only 10% agar is available, through this research Project it will be possible to produce up to 90% agar. The quality of the agar produced will be of international standard. As a result, there will be massive economic development of the people involved in the agar industry. The results obtained through the research will be disseminated among the forest department, NGOs, privately owned agar plantation owners and agar factory owners through various trainings. As a result, people of all levels including agar farmers, owners, traders of different districts of the country will benefit.
The Minister of Environment said these things while addressing the chief guest at the inception workshop of the project titled 'Improved Quality Agar Resin Accumulation Innovation in Whole Trees' at Zilla Parishad Auditorium of Baralekha Upazila of Moulvibazar District on Thursday.
The workshop was attended by Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Development) Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Moulvibazar district Mir Nahid Ahsan etc. Director of BFRI, Researchers, Agar Associations involved in Agar Atar Industry, Owners, Traders, Farmers were also present among others.
The Environment Minister said that already under this project, 6 researchers have been appointed and activities are underway to create an international quality agar laboratory for joint research of students, researchers and scientists. Through the implementation of the project, it will be possible to produce various agar products according to the demand of the international market. Necessary measures will be taken to ensure easy access of agar products to both regional and international markets by developing standardization and grading systems for agar and agar oil. With the increase in the number of currently established agar factories, new employment opportunities will be created and self-employment opportunities will increase manifold. Five agar accumulation test stations will be set up in more productive areas.
The Environment Minister said that with the aim of developing the agar industry through research, Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has entrusted the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute with the task of implementing the research project on agar. As 'One District One Product' Agar has been declared a cottage industry besides declaring it as a product of Moulvibazar district. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute has been conducting research activities on agar for a long time in coordination with agar associations, owners, farmers of this region. All concerned must provide full cooperation in the implementation of this project.
