Sylhet Bureau

A day long regional workshop on networking of agricultural pesticide dealers in Sylhet held at an elite hotel in the city on Wednesday.

The workshop was presided over by Agriculture Extension Department Sylhet Deputy Director Agriculturist Md. Khoyer Uddin Molla, and Agriculture Extension Department Sylhet Additional Director Agriculturist Dr. Mohammad Kazi Mojibur Rahman were present as the chief guests.

Golapganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Mashreful Alam conducted the workshop. Agriculture Extension Department Habiganj Deputy Director Md. Akhtaruzzaman, PP DAE Khamar Bari Dhaka Additional Deputy Director Karima Akhter, BARI Akbarpur Moulvibazar Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Mahmudul Islam Nazrul spoke as special guests.

FAO Crop Production Specialist Dr. Dilwar Ahmed Chowdhury presented the keynote address at the workshop and FAO Project Coordination Assistant Samiron Kumar Singh presented the objectives of the dealer network.

Officials of various districts and upazilas of DAE Sylhet region and related departments of agriculture participated in the day-long workshop.

The speakers at the workshop said, FAO and POPS are working on the safe, environmentally friendly and secure use of pesticides. This project also works with the collection and safe disposal of empty pesticide containers. It was informed that pesticide dealers are very important people and they will play a very positive role in this regard. It includes an activity to develop pesticide dealer networking.

The Plant Protection Wing (PPW) under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is the sole authority to issue licenses to dealers for the sale of pesticides, fertilizers and seeds. In addition, this wing is also responsible for the registration of new pesticides in the country. DAE has a huge workforce at the grassroots level in the country. They have very close contact and network with dealers and retailers.

Bangladesh Crop Protection Association (BCPA) is a unique national trade association of pesticide companies involved in the import, production, formulation and marketing of agricultural pesticides and public health pesticides in Bangladesh. BCPA is an esteemed member of the Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC), which is the apex committee for approving pesticide registrations in Bangladesh and advising the government on general policies related to pesticides and pest management. The main objective of the workshop is to connect with fellow farmers, input suppliers, agribusiness and other industry role players and build lasting and mutually beneficial relationships.