Youth must come forward as agri-entrepreneurs: Simeen Hussain

The government is extending all-out support to the agri-entrepreneurs and providing with all sorts of stimulus packages, Minister of State for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi) MP said at the inaugural ceremony of a day-long training program organized for agricultural entrepreneurs at Barun High School located in Kapasia of Gazipur district on Friday.
She added that young people should take this opportunity to be the agents of change in the transformation of agriculture.
United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has held this training under the agricultural support scheme, titled Bhoroshar Notun Janala, which is being implemented as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project in accordance with the directive of the Bangladesh Bank.
Simeen Hussain (Rimi) MP was present at the event as the chief guest. ATM Tahmiduzzaman, Additional Managing Director and Company Secretary, UCB PLC; Abul Alam Ferdous, Additional Managing Director of UCB PLC; Rezaul Karim Siddique, popular presenter of BTVs agriculture-based show Mati O Manush & an agricultural analyst, were also present among other distinguished guests.
With the presence of 200 selected agri-entrepreneurs hailing from different upazilas of Gazipur district, the day-long training program shed light on different important issues related to business planning, marketing, managerial skills, banking and financial aspects of agricultural enterprises, and answered the various queries of the entrepreneurs as well. Simeen Hussain (Rimi) said:  "Farmers are a great source of inspiration for us, so is our youth. It feels so good to see that many young entrepreneurs are nowadays getting interested in agriculture and contributing to the economy. But they need proper guidance. I feel that this initiative by the UCB bank will enlighten them and guide them to prosperity."
Abul Alam Ferdous, Additional Managing Director of UCB PLC, said, "Our special CSR project will open a new window of trust in the minds of agri-entrepreneurs in the country. It will help to find a way to stand by the side of the farmers involved in agriculture and inspire them."