The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Training Centre, established on three bighas of land at Mouchak in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur, is struggling for survival as a fund crunch has hit the training institute hard.
According to sources, the officials and employees working for the training centre have not been getting salaries for four months due to the financial crisis. The agricultural machinery testing centre, first of its kind in the country, has also been plagued by alleged irregularities and corruption of project directors, they added.
Though the tenure of the project expired in 2024, it got approval for another year after the political changeover on August 5 last year. But the activities of the institute have come to a halt as the authority concerned has not released funds. As a result, 18 employees, including technicians, security guards, office staff, and office assistants, are currently spending idle time.
Senior technician Yahya Molla, who received an award for his contribution to the agricultural sector, said that once upon a time, each batch of 28-30 people was given training in agriculture. There was a provision for accommodation and food for each batch of trainees. The training activities remained suspended for a year. Although the project’s tenure was extended by one year, no fund was released. As a result, 18 officials and employees of the institution, including four technicians, have been going through a difficult time.
Technician Yahya Molla, who was testing a fertilizer applicator machine in a room of the institution, further said that this machine was invented by the Rice Research Institute. “It saves 40% of the fertilizer used to apply to the land. The machinery testing centre tests it and issues a clearance certificate. Some work is being done on the project director’s own initiative. All types of agricultural machinery invented in the country or imported from abroad are given clearance certificates after testing from this centre.”
When asked about the covering of several expensive chairs on both sides of the equipment laboratory room with polythene, Yahia Molla added that a building was supposed to be built, but it was not possible for reasons unknown. The former director of the institution bought them before the building was built. They were covered as they were not used.
Officials of the institution said that efforts are being made to bring the agricultural machinery testing centre under the government’s revenue sector. That is why they are still working at the institution in the hope of getting their jobs permanent, even though they have not been receiving salaries for four months.
It was not possible to contact the project director of the organization, Manjurul Alam, as he is now abroad.
Habibullah, director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said that the project is currently closed. Efforts are being made to launch the project by recruiting more skilled manpower very soon. Efforts are being made to ensure that the purpose for which the project was done is successful.
