Md. Mijanur Rahman Akand, Phulpur: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Phulpur has launched a government incentive programme for the 2025-26 fiscal year, distributing free tree saplings and agricultural inputs among educational institutions and farmers to promote sustainable farming and environmental conservation.

The inaugural ceremony was held at the Upazila Parishad premises at 11:00 am on Thursday, where Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Yusuf formally inaugurated the programme.

Under the initiative, farmers are receiving free summer onion seedlings, lemon saplings, chilli seeds, summer vegetable seeds, organic fertiliser and other agricultural inputs as part of the government`s Kharif season agricultural incentive and rehabilitation programme.

The programme also includes a large-scale tree plantation campaign. According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, a total of 1,730 tree saplings will be planted across Phulpur Upazila under a plantation incentive scheme. The campaign forms part of the nationwide target of planting 250 million trees outlined in BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman`s election manifesto.

As part of the initiative, 76 educational institutions will each receive 20 saplings, while 200 saplings will be planted along a designated roadside. The plantation drive will feature a mix of fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal trees to enhance greenery in schools and along public roads.

Among those present at the inauguration were Upazila Agriculture Officer Nadia Ferdousi, Phulpur Upazila BNP Convener Alhaj Siddiqur Rahman, Member Secretary Helal Uddin Helu, Agricultural Extension Officer Kamrul Hasan Kumu, former General Secretary of Singheshwar Union BNP Nurul Alam Khan Alam, along with farmers from different unions and teachers representing various educational institutions.