Speakers in a function here yesterday said the present government emphasized for farm mechanization to help the farmers harvest paddy within short time save their time and labor cost.

“It harvests the crops, threshes and cleans the grain from chaff. As it combines the activities of harvesting, threshing and winnowing, it is known as combined harvester”. They also said.

They made the comments while addressing a function on the distribution of combine harvester machines to the farmers on the premises of Sadullapurupazila agriculture office in the district on Thursday.

Upazilaparishad chairman Md. Shahriar Khan Biplob, formally handed over the documents of the ownership of the machines to the selected farmers as the chief guest and UNO NabiNeoaz and local lawmaker’s representativeMD.Anwarul Azim spoke at the event as the special guests.

Upazila agriculture officer Md. Khajanur Rahman in his speeches said the price of a combine harvester machine is TK 28 Lakh and the machines had been imported from Japan through ACI Company of the country. The machines were distributed to the farmers with 50 percent subsidygiven by the government.

Use of combine harvester helps harvest of paddy timely. He said adding that It takes less time, reduces the crop loss and helps the farmers to tackle the peak time labour shortage.

The government allotted three machines for the farmers of the upazila this year. Of them, two machines were distributed so far to the enthusiastic farmers of the upazila at subsidized price and the rest one would be distributed very soon, he concluded.

A large number of political leaders, farmers, upazila level officials, field level sub assistant agriculture officers, invited persons including journalists were present on the occasion.

Similar programme at the initiative of Shaghataupazila agriculture office in the district was also held on the premises of Shaghataupazilaparishad from where upazila chairman ZahangirKabir formally distributed two combine harvester machines to the farmers at 50 percent subsidized price as the chief guest.

UNO Mohi Uddin Jahangir was present as the special guest. upazila agriculture officer Md. Sadequzzaman and his sub ordinate officials, public representatives, political leaders, local elite including journalists were present on the machine distribution activity.