BSS, Rajshahi :
Plantation of adequate fruit trees is very important for ensuring nutritional demands coupled with food security, ecological balance and biodiversity, speakers at a discussion here said.
Highlighting various significances of the fruit and fruit trees in terms of the present social and national aspects they put emphasis on transforming the tree plantation campaign into a social movement.
The speakers made this observation while addressing the inaugural session of a five-day Fruit Tree Fair-2016 organized by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) at Green Plaza of City Bhaban here yesterday afternoon.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Abdul Hannan, who addressed the session as the chief guest, stressed extensive tree plantation to improve environment and biodiversity to make the region habitable for all.
With Deputy Director of DAE Dev Dulal Dhali in the chair, Deputy Commissioner Kazi Ashraf Uddin, Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation Syeda Jebunnessa Sultana, Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Selim Hossain and Upazila Agriculture Officer AKM Monjur E-Mawla also spoke.
“Expansion of the country’s forest area up to 25 percent of the total landscape through extensive tree plantations will protect the country from possible alarming consequences of the ongoing climate changes,” said the chief guest.
Explaining various beneficial aspects of trees and homestead gardening in human life, he urged all to plant at least three tree saplings around their homesteads to help maintain environmental and ecological balance.
He termed the tree plantation as a big investment and said many people have been changing their lots through establishing nurseries and making orchards garden at present.
On the occasion, DAE District Training Officer AKM Abdul Awal presented a keynote paper on “Contribution of Fruit and Fruit Trees in Poverty Reduction and Nutritional Security” emphasizing the need for providing all possible assistances towards fruit farming for boosting its yield.
The speakers urged all to plant fruit saplings around their respective homesteads or on any open space to help maintain environmental and ecological balance and save the region from the wrath of any future natural catastrophe.
They said there is no alternative to plant more saplings to protect the ecology after facing the adverse effect of Farakka barrage in the region. All concerned should put in their best effort to make the region green by increasing fruit trees area.
Different government and non-government organizations and individuals including nursery owners and local entrepreneurs have set up 35 stalls in the fair premises displaying saplings of over 50 fruit-bearing trees.
