Cox’s Bazar hosted a regional workshop on expanding mushroom cultivation to improve nutrition and reduce poverty. The event took place on Thursday (11 December) at Shaheed Subhash Hall of Cox’s Bazar Public Library, organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Chattogram Region.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Additional Director of DAE, Chattogram Region, presided over the workshop.
SM Sohrab Uddin, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Khamarbari, Dhaka, attended as the chief guest.
In his speech, the chief guest noted that although Bangladesh has achieved self-sufficiency in food production, it still lags behind in terms of nutritional intake.
He highlighted that mushrooms are a halal, nutrient-rich crop with multiple benefits, underscoring the need to expand their cultivation. Increased production, he noted, could significantly contribute to national nutrition security and create opportunities for earning foreign currency.
He also urged relevant stakeholders to come forward to enhance mushroom cultivation as a profitable crop.
The workshop began with a welcome speech from Dr. Bimal Kumar Pramanik, Deputy Director of DAE, Cox’s Bazar, followed by a keynote presentation delivered by Dr. Akhtar Jahan Kankon, Project Director of the Mushroom Cultivation Expansion Project for Nutrition Improvement and Poverty Reduction.
Special guests addressing the event included Aiyub Mahmud, Principal of Agriculture Training Institute, Noakhali; Mohammad Atik Ullah, Deputy Director of Feni; Apu Marma, Deputy Director of Chattogram; and Zahir Ahmed, Deputy Director of Lakshmipur.
District-level partners involved in mushroom expansion also participated in the workshop. Among them was Md. Kutub Uddin, Deputy Director of Jhilongja Horticulture Centre; Imran Hossain, Horticulture Specialist of Hathazari Horticulture Centre; Kalpana Rahman, Agriculture Officer of Patiya; Nayan Moni Sutrodhar, Deputy Director of Feni Pachgachhia Horticulture Centre; Arpon Dey, a mushroom entrepreneur from Banshkhali; Md. Taiyabur Khan, a mushroom entrepreneur from Ramu, and Jahanara Islam, a mushroom entrepreneur from Cox’s Bazar Sadar.
Conducted by Parbati Rani Mitra, Chattogram Metropolitan Agriculture Officer, the day-long workshop was attended by around 150 participants, including heads of various local offices, teachers from schools and colleges, DAE officials from several districts, Islamic Foundation officers, journalists from print and electronic media, mushroom farmers, restaurant owners, and supermarket owners.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
