DHAKA, June 6, (V7N) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government's decision to fully waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including principal and interest, for marginal farmers will provide a major boost to the country's rural economy. He made the remarks while addressing the Bangladesh Agro-Industry Media Award-2025 distribution ceremony as chief guest at the MCCI conference room in Gulshan.

The minister noted that despite the country being burdened with nearly Tk 12 lakh crore in foreign debt, a similar amount in domestic debt, and around Tk 6 lakh crore in non-performing loans, the government has taken this historic step to protect marginal farmers. He said agriculture remains one of the key drivers of Bangladesh's GDP and employment, and strengthening the sector is essential for sustainable economic growth.

Swapon stressed the need for greater technological integration and technical expertise to ensure successful transformation as Bangladesh transitions from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial economy. He said converting raw agricultural produce into value-added agro-industrial products through modern technology would create significant opportunities in both domestic and international markets.

The minister said well-researched reports on agriculture and agro-industries would encourage entrepreneurship and help policymakers formulate sustainable policies. He added that his ministry would compile special reports on these sectors and convey their recommendations to relevant policymakers, noting that agriculture is one of the central pillars of the government's national development strategy.

Seven journalists received awards in print, television, and online categories for outstanding reporting on agriculture and agro-processing industries. The winners included Sukanta Haldar (The Daily Star), Delwar Hossain Dolon (Channel 24), and Nazmul Hossain (Jago News24), among others. The event was chaired by PRAN Group Managing Director Md. Eleash Mridha, with National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz as special guest.

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