Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, March 18, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad has said that numerous farmers will benefit from the implementation of the government's canal excavation and excavation initiative.

“The government has undertaken the excavation and re-excavation programme of about 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals across the country, which will revive dead and extinct water bodies,” he said.

The State Minister said this while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the excavation of Ramakanta Canal in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur this afternoon under the canal re-excavation programme as the chief guest.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam presided over the function.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad said the excavation and re-excavation of these canals will increase the availability of conserved surface water during the dry season and a large amount of crops will be saved from damage.

“The Ramakanta Canal is an important canal under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), and we have come together today to inaugurate its re-excavation,” he said.

Under the canal excavation programme, trees will be planted on both sides of the canal, keeping in mind the initiative of planting 250 million trees in only five years.

As a result, it will be possible to build a green belt and maintain the balance of the environment.

At the same time, it will be possible to increase the income of the local people by creating opportunities for fish farming.

In addition, employment will increase with greater involvement of workers in canal excavation.

“Through the implementation of these initiatives, it will be possible to develop the country as a self-reliant and food-rich Bangladesh,” he said.

The State Minister said that according to the election manifesto, the government has taken various initiatives for the welfare of farmers.

“The government has already paid off the agricultural loans of about 12 lakh farmers and distributed about 28,000 family cards in 15 upazilas on March 10 as part of the financial assistance programme in pilot projects across the country,” he said.

The State Minister sought everyone's cooperation in the successful implementation of these government programmes.

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammd Enamul Ahsan, Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury Don, Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mst Jasmine Akhter, government officials, people from different walks of life and professions, and journalists were present.