State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam inaugurates Satbaria canal excavation, enhancing irrigation and benefiting 1,500 farmers. Photo : BSS

BAGERHAT, Mar 17, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has said the canal excavation programme will protect the natural balance and farmers will benefit greatly from restored irrigation facilities.

"If the programme succeeds, farmers, especially the poor, will be able to produce various types of crops, including vegetables. They will become economically self-sufficient," he added.

The state minister said this at the inauguration ceremony of the Satbaria canal excavation in Fakirhat upazila of the district on Monday afternoon.

Shaikh Faridul Islam further said, "Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman transformed a poor and struggling Bangladesh into an agriculturally self-reliant country. His son, Tarique Rahman, is now the Prime Minister of the country."

He said, "Many of us still bear the ink marks of voting on our hands. Meanwhile, we have begun implementing the BNP's election pledge of a countrywide programme for the excavation and re-excavation of rivers, drains, canals and reservoirs. The BNP government remains committed to the welfare of the people."

He added that they have already discussed with the administration the restoration of canals in nine upazilas of Bagerhat district.

"The canals are being identified, and we plan to excavate them in phases to develop a modern and well-planned district," he said, seeking cooperation from all concerned.

Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten presided over the event. Among others present were Bagerhat-1 constituency MP Principal Md Mashiur Rahman Khan, Bagerhat-2 MP Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahat, Bagerhat Police Superintendent Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Superintendent Engineer Md Abdullah Al Rashid, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bagerhat Md Motahar Hossain, Fakirhat Upazila BNP President Sheikh Kamrul Islam Gora, General Secretary Sheikh Shariful Kamal Karim, freedom fighter Nurmohammed and local beneficiary Md Nazmul Islam.

The re-excavation of the Satbaria canal in Fakirhat upazila will be implemented by BADC. According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, 650 hectares of land will come under cultivation, benefiting around 1,500 farmers.