& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Farmer Afaz Receives Channel i Krishi Padak 2009

’Promote cultivation of medicinal plants’

Staff Correspondent
Around 20 years ago. Afaz Uddin, a simple organic farmer from Kholabaria in Natore, was fascinated by the therapeutic properties of herbs.
The richness of medicinal plants shaped the life of Afaz in the following years and he silently shaped the lives of many others.
A revolution of medical plant cultivation came into being. Within the 20 years' time, many villages around him became the treasure troves of curative herbs.
After all these years. Alaz's
contribution was finally recognised He received the prestigious Channel i Krishi Padak 2009 at a grand ceremony at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city yesterday.
There is a rich collection of medicinal plants around us growing every nook and cranny. We just have to learn to identify them and know about the immense values the herbs possess,” said enthusiastic Afaz after receiving a crest of honour and a prize to the value ol Ik 50,000 from the private channel.
Afaz Uddin, who also received Ik one lakh from Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. urged the government to promote cultivation of medicinal plants throughout the country.
Channel i Krishi Padak was first introduced in 2006 to recognise farmers of the rural areas who silently bring about changes in the society.
After its inception, three more farmers -- Haripada Kapali from Jhenidah, Kartik P r a m a n i k from C h a p a i n a w a b g a n j and Keramat Ali from Bagerhat — received the awards for their contributions to the advances in the herbal medicine.
Speaking as the chief guest, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said a scientific attitude is necessary to bring about revolution in agriculture to ensure food safety for the countrymen.
Man behind the entire concept, Shykh Seraj, director and news editor of Channel i and anchor of the popular agro-based TV show, said, "Farmers provide food for the countrymen with their back-breaking efforts, yet we failed to give them what they deserve."
The media personality called on the government to create an efficient marketing system for agricultural products and ensure proper price.
He stressed the need for developing drought-, and flood-tolerant crops that can endure calamities, suspending shrimp cultivation in the southern region that created salinity in agricultural lands, an end to pollution caused by industrial waste and bringing back the past glory of jute, etc.
Managing Director of Channel i Faridur Reza Sagar said, "We will be able to bolster the country's economy by strengthening the status of the farmers who are the backbone of the rural economy.”
Six winners of the essay competition to mark the 6th anniversary of 'Hridoye Mati O Manush' were also awarded at the same venue. Janobhashyo-4, a compilation of selected essays, was also launched at the event.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarker and Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Former adviser CS Karim. FAO Country Director Ad Spijkers, barrister Rafiqul Haque, economist Debapriya Bhattacharya and editor of the Manabjamin Matiur Rahman Chowdhury presented the awards to the recipients of the essay contest.