|| Staff Correspondent: The government has taken an initiative to create 20,000 agricultural entrepreneurs across the country to ensure processing and export of agricultural products. Of them, 60 percent will be women and 40 percent men. The initiative has been taken to ensure food security and employment by harnessing the potential of the agriculture sector.The initiative to create 20,000 agricultural entrepreneurs in 208 upazilas of 64 districts across the country has been taken under the Programme on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER) Project of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) under the Ministry of Agriculture.Officials of the Agriculture Ministry said that under the project, initiatives have been taken to create entrepreneurs in various subsectors, including agriculture, agricultural product processing, seeds, nurseries, mushrooms, vermicompost, jute products and dairy products. An initiative has also been taken to form value-chain-based organisations for five important agricultural products under the project, they added.Entrepreneurs must be aged between 18 and 35 years.Through the project, entrepreneurs will receive on-the-job training and incubation support to promote employment creation and ensure the processing and export of five agricultural products. Value Chain Promotional Bodies will be formed for five agricultural products-potatoes, mangoes, jackfruit, tomatoes and aromatic rice. Officials concerned with the project said the policy for the Value Chain Promotional Bodies has already been approved by the ministry.The trained entrepreneurs will receive matching grant support. Under the matching grant, food-processing equipment will be provided at the household level. The project will provide a 70 percent subsidy for purchasing the equipment, while the entrepreneurs will bear the remaining 30 percent themselves.Agency Programme Director of PARTNER-DAM of the Department of Agricultural Marketing Dr Muhammad Abdullah Al-Farooq told BSS that work is underway to create entrepreneurs in various agriculture-based sectors, including mushrooms, nurseries, vermicompost, jute products and dairy products. So far, 6,875 people have received training, while the target is to train around 7,000 entrepreneurs this year, he said, adding that the programme is being implemented in 208 Upazilas of 64 districts across the country. "The training is aimed not only at creating entrepreneurs but also at developing their business skills, management knowledge and linkages with markets," the official said.Incubation support is being provided to the trained entrepreneurs after completion of their training, Dr Farooq said, adding, institutions providing incubation support are working to identify and remove the barriers faced by the entrepreneurs in operating their businesses.Under the DAM, 767 such schools have already been established in different agriculture-dominated areas, he said. In this regard, the director said, "Market Actors Business Schools are being established focusing on the products that are produced more in a particular area. In the case of potatoes, 227 schools have been established. Another 335 schools are planned to be established this year."He further said farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, cold-storage owners, people involved in transportation and other market stakeholders are being brought under a common framework through these schools.As a result, it will be easier to identify the problems and potential of the entire market system of a particular agricultural product, Dr Farooq said. Describing entrepreneurs as the drivers of the country's future economic progress, PARTNER Project Coordinator Abul Kalam Azad told BSS that entrepreneurs not only become self-reliant themselves but also create opportunities for 10 other people in society to become self-reliant."To secure a respectable position in the global economy, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs should work with various new ideas and ensure their proper implementation," he said.The project coordinator said the creation of agricultural entrepreneurs through the project would help transform agriculture into a modern and dignified profession. "The trained entrepreneurs will enrich Bangladesh's economy through their vitality, enthusiasm for work and energy," he said.Tamima Akter Nancy of Gazipur has acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills after receiving 12 days of training from the Department of Agricultural Marketing. Nancy, a resident of Sarkarpara village in Pirujali Union under Gazipur Sadar, felt the urge to do something on her own alongside her studies.Within a short time, she started processing agricultural products. After receiving positive feedback, Nancy began producing jam, jelly, pickles, jackfruit chips and fish chips and selling them on a small scale in the local market. Initially, Nancy faced some problems in properly producing, selecting and preserving the products, but her enthusiasm increased further after receiving training.With the assistance of the Gazipur Agricultural Marketing Officer, Nancy obtained all necessary licences, including a trade licence and health certificate. Four people are currently working at her establishment, 'Nancy Agro and Food'.Nancy is not alone; the government has taken the initiative to create entrepreneurs across the country to engage energetic and young people in income-generating activities.Analysts associated with the agriculture sector believe that agriculture is a promising sector for the country. However, the sector has lagged behind due to a lack of practical and comprehensive planning, inadequate modernisation and failure to create new entrepreneurs, they said.The agriculture sector can play a significant role not only in ensuring food security and creating employment but also in increasing the country's exports, the analysts said. Therefore, the incumbent government has taken the initiative to create agricultural entrepreneurs.