A workshop was held in Bandarban to determine strategies for expanding cotton cultivation in hilly areas. This workshop was organized by the office of Chief Cotton Development Officer of Cotton Development Board Bandarban Zone on the morning of May 2 in the meeting room of Balaghata Hill Cotton Research Center in Bandarban.
Dr. Rezaul Amin, Executive Director of Cotton Development Board, was present as the chief guest in the workshop under the chairmanship of District Administration Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Abu Taleb.
Md Qutubuddin, Deputy Director of Cotton Development Board Headquarters, AHM Kaykobad, Deputy Director of Chittagong Region of Cotton Development Board, Chief Scientific Officer of Soil Resource Development Institute Bandarban, Md Mahbubul Islam, Additional Deputy Director of Agriculture Extension Directorate Taufiq Ahmed Noor, Deputy Director of Youth Development Directorate Md Enayet attended the workshop as special guests. Karim, Chief Cotton Development Officer of Cotton Development Board Bandarban Zone Md. Alamgir Hossain Mridha and others. Meanwhile, various officers of Cotton Development Board of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari districts, agricultural officers and cotton farmers and related people were present and gave different views on the expansion of cotton cultivation in the workshop. Speaking at the meeting, the speakers said that the hilly districts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari are very suitable for cotton cultivation. As the hill soil, weather and climate are suitable for cotton cultivation, cotton cultivation is increasing day by day in different parts of the hill. Meanwhile, the speakers called upon everyone to stop harmful tobacco cultivation in the hills and increase interest in cotton cultivation.
Cotton Development Board officials said, upland cotton and mountain cotton are being cultivated in Bandarban, and in the fiscal year 2026-27, upland cotton and 5,500 hectares of upland cotton were cultivated in Bandarban. Supply of quality seeds, keeping the cost of agricultural inputs affordable in cotton cultivation, development of marketing system,Those concerned expressed hope that if policies and action plans are adopted at the national level to ensure fair prices and expand cotton cultivation, cotton cultivation will increase in the hill districts.
