Photo: BSS

KISHOREGANJ, March 16, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam said the excavation of the Aribil canal in Kishoreganj will improve irrigation facilities for farmers and help reduce agricultural production costs.

The government has started excavating the canal as part of a nationwide canal restoration programme. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Aribil canal excavation in Nikli Upazila today, the state minister said the project will increase the flow of surface water and expand irrigation coverage in agricultural lands.

He explained that greater availability of surface water will reduce farmers' dependence on electricity and fuel for irrigation, thereby lowering production costs.

Shariful Alam emphasized that national development cannot be meaningful if the rural economy remains weak. To improve the livelihoods of ordinary people, he said, the government has undertaken several major initiatives.

Highlighting these programmes, the minister said the Family Card programme has been launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. More than 1,000 families in Kishoreganj are already receiving financial assistance through this card.

He also noted that the government has introduced honorariums for imams and muezzins. In addition, a Farmer Card programme is set to be launched in April, which will benefit farmers, livestock rearers, jute growers and sericulture farmers.

The minister further said the government has waived agricultural loans, including interest, totaling Tk 1,050 crore for nearly 1.2 million farmers.

After the ceremony, Shariful Alam, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-6, formally inaugurated the excavation work of the Aribil canal.

Members of Parliament Mazharul Islam (Kishoreganj-1), Advocate Jalal Uddin (Kishoreganj-2) and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal (Kishoreganj-5) attended the event. The Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, officials from various government departments and leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organizations were also present.