<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages on Tuesady greeted the recipients of 'Agricultural Important Person (AIP)' status for the first time in the country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque will confer the AIP status on 13 persons at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city tomorrow</div><div><br></div><div>In his message, the President said: "I welcome the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture for honoring the AIPs -2020'."</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting the importance of the agriculture sector of the country, the head of the state said the success of this country in the socio-economic field is based on the sustainable agricultural production system.</div><div><br></div><div>In this context, agri-scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, producers and agricultural organizers are playing a key role in the agricultural production system, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>He believed that giving state status to those selected as AIPs for their significant contribution in agriculture is a unique addition to the agriculture sector.</div><div><br></div><div>He congratulated those who have been conferred with 'Agricultural Important Person (AIP)-2020' award in recognition of their contributions in various fields of agriculture.</div><div><br></div><div>"I strongly believe that this initiative will encourage all individuals and organizations related to agriculture and accelerate the ongoing progress of agriculture," Hamid continued.</div><div><br></div><div>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said: "...I congratulate all the persons recognized as 'Agricultural Important Persons (AIPs)."</div><div>The premier became delighted to know that the AIPs of 2020 award are going to be felicitated for their significant contribution in the field of agriculture.</div><div><br></div><div>The greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first to realize that knowledge-based modern agriculture is the first step to build a developed and prosperous 'Sonar Bangladesh', she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Hence, he gave utmost importance to agriculture in the reconstruction of the war-torn country after independence, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>She said Bangabandhu took various initiatives to modernize the agricultural system of Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>Bangabandhu began the agricultural revolution by providing improved agriculture materials, including waiver of land development tax, up to 25 bighas, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>In 1973, Bangabandhu introduced the 'Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Puroskar' for the development of agriculture and also gave first class status to agriculturists in government jobs, the premier added.</div><div><br></div><div>Following the footsteps of Father of Nation, the Awami League government has taken various timely measures and agricultural-friendly policies for the modernization and overall development of agriculture since 2009, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>"We have established new agriculture universities to promote modern agricultural education," she added.</div><div><br></div><div>She hoped that the government will attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030 to build a developed, happy and prosperous 'Sonar Bangladesh' (as dreamt by Bangabandhu) by 2041.</div><div><br></div><div>Both the president and the premier once again congratulated all the persons who recognized as AIPs and wished all the programmes taken to honor them a success. BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>