Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Prue has sought the Agriculture Ministry’s support to promote modern, agriculture-based economic development in the region while protecting its environment and natural resources.

He made the call during a courtesy meeting with Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid at his office in Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.

Saching Prue, prince of the traditional Bohmong Circle in Bandarban, was warmly received by the agriculture minister upon arriving at his office.

During the meeting, the two ministers held a cordial discussion on the overall development of agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and across the country, as well as various areas of cooperation between the two ministries.

Highlighting the potential and development strategies for the hill region, Saching Prue said their primary goal was to completely stop the cultivation of harmful tobacco and narcotic plants in remote areas of the hills.

He stressed the need for special training to equip farmers in the hill districts with modern agricultural technologies, similar to farmers in the plains.

“Now is the right time to boost agricultural production in the era of AI-driven agricultural transformation,” Saching Prue said.

He expressed hope that increasing the cultivation of coffee, cashew nuts, turmeric, sugarcane and bamboo could enable the Chittagong Hill Tracts to play a transformative role in the national economy while helping meet the country’s demand for safe food and nutrition.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid expressed his support for the initiative and proposals put forward by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister.

He said the Agriculture Ministry and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry would work together to improve the livelihoods of farmers in both the hills and the plains and contribute to the country’s overall economic growth.