US Ambassador visits USAID projects in Khulna, Jashore

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller yesterday concluded his first tour to Jashore and Khulna, where he visited key USAID agriculture, labour and food assistance programs and met with students at Khulna American Corner.

Ambassador Miller, accompanied by USAID Deputy Mission Director Zeinah Salahi, met with government officials, community leaders, and program participants during their visit to learn about the impact of USAID’s development work directly from the people, said a press release.

In Jashore, Ambassador Miller saw how USAID projects are improving agricultural productivity and boosting economic growth by working with private sector partners like Janata Engineering and The Metal Pvt. Ltd.

The US delegation also met with flower farmers, who have increased flower production through training received from USAID projects. 

They met with fisheries scientists working to breed the most robust varieties of native carp species, which will improve food security and increase economic potential of the region.

In addition, to raise awareness on the threat of fall armyworm in Bangladesh, a new pest that can damage various crops, Ambassador Miller discussed preventive measures with scientists from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).

In Khulna, the ambassador spoke to beneficiaries from Nobo Jatra, a USAID programme for those most impacted by poverty, hunger and natural disasters, and learned how they are using the technologies they learned from USAID to increase self-sufficiency in food production.

Later, the delegation visited a shrimp and fish processing plant to learn about the industry and its labour conditions. Improving labour standards and promoting workers’ rights are both areas that U.S. government believes are critical to economic and democratic success of a country. The Ambassador’s visit concluded with a tour of a local Workers’ Community Centre supported by USAID.