For optimum use of the subsidy being provided to the agriculture sectors, the speakers suggested devising comprehensive modalities with strict monitoring mechanism and issuance of entitlement cards to the beneficiaries.

The daylong national workshop titled 'Strengthening agriculture, mechanisation: Policies and implementation strategies' was organised by Agriculture Engineering Department in the conference room of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) at Farmgate in the city.

Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Abdul Aziz spoke at the inaugural session as the chief guest with BARC Executive Chairman Mohammad Nurul Alam in the chair.

Vice Chancellor of Jessore Science and Technology University Prof Rafiqul Islam Sarker presented the keynote paper while Prof ATM Ziauddin of Bangladesh Agriculture University, Director General of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid and General Secretary of Agriculture Machinery Manufacturers' Association Mohammad Jahangir Hossain also discussed.

Mohammad Abdul Aziz underscored the need for establishing a national centre on agriculture machinery for development, testing and evaluation to serve the needs of the public and private sectors.

He also disagreed with the notion that developed agro-mechanisation might affect the country's labour intense and said it would rather reduce production cost and increase employment in the non-farm sector.

Prof Rafiqul Islam Sarker gave a set of policy recommendations, including providing technical support and tax relief to imported raw materials of agriculture machinery to reduce dependence on foreign machines and fuels, to create employment and to help growth of economy.

He said every year a large number of power tillers and small diesel engines are being imported mainly from China. A feasibility study should be undertaken soon to see the benefits of establishing at least two joint venture industries for production of power tillers and small diesel engines at home, he said.

Prof Sarker called for formulating a comprehensive agriculture mechanisation policy and establishing a high level advisory committee on agricultural mechanisation issues and policies.

Adequate funds should be provided to capable institutions for research, development and extension works and an agriculture machinery database must be prepared to facilitate the research work, he recommended.

Later, four papers on different issues of agriculture mechanisation were presented at the technical session.

More than 60 high officials of different departments of Ministry of Agriculture, experts of agriculture research institutions, universities and representatives of NGOs and private enterprises attended the workshop.