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The deadline to submit applications for selection of the country’s first ever Agricultural Important Persons (AIPs) will expire tomorrow (Tuesday).
Earlier, the Ministry of Agricultural (MoA) had extended it three times considering the pandemic situation across the country
The farmers were first urged to submit their applications to their respective upazila (sub-district) office of the DAE before April 14, 2020.
Later on June 15, the ministry extended the application deadline for the third time to July 14 (Tuesday).
AIP is similar to the status of Commercially Important Persons (CIPs) and they will enjoy the homogeneous status as the CIPs enjoy.
Quazi Abdur Rayhan, deputy secretary at the MoC, told the FE that the new state honour successful farmers, scientists, agriculturists and government’s recognised agricultural organisations for their contribution to the development of the country’s agricultural sector.
"We will not extend (the deadline) further," he said.
Quazi said all the AIP recipients will get the same advantage as the CIP award holders normally receive from the government.
The entire process of selection for AIP status will be followed as per the Agricultural Important Person Policy-2019, the deputy secretary said.
The number of AIP awards will be maximum 45 for the contribution and excellence in the agricultural sector, the policy reads.
According to the policy, the AIP awards will be offered in five categories.
Maximum 10 people for the Agricultural Innovations (Technology or Breed), 15 people for Agricultural Production/Commercial Farming and Agricultural Processing Industries, 10 for Production of Exportable Agricultural Products, five for Recognised or State Registered Agricultural Organisation and five for Gold Medallists of Bangabandhu Agricultural Award will receive the status, the policy reveals.
The period of the AIP status will last for one year. The benefit of the status will automatically be finished after one year, the policy reads.
The AIP card must be submitted within one week to the Ministry of Agriculture or district office of Department of Agricultural Extension after the term of card expires, the policy states.
From now on, the ministry will issue a circular for the application submission for the AIP status every year, the policy adds.