Krishi Diary is a unique Diary

Tanzila Rahman, UAO, Ramu

Tanzila Rahman and Prof. M Zahidul Haque

In today’s world, diaries become an integral part for keeping business transactions and personal records. We use printed yearly diaries for writing and keeping our business records, appointment schedule, plus personal  information.

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

The word ‘Diary’ evolved from the Latin word “Diarium” (daily allowance) and “Dies” (day). The earliest known diary came from Middle Eastern and Asian culture.

“Krishi Diary” or “Agricultural Diary” is a unique diary which is often called an “IT Diary” (Information Technology diary) because it contains not only months-dates-days, phone numbers, e-mail, web addresses but agricultural and modern updated information technology.

The Agricultural Information Service (AIS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has been regularly publishing Krishi Diary in Bangla for the last several years. It is being published every year in January. In 2024, the Krishi Diary has been brought out with necessary improvements, both in get-up and in the content. The “Krishi Diary 2024” is presented under an attractive soft cover and printed in good quality white papers.

The ‘Krishi Diary 2024’ is opened with a portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman captioning with a verse read as below:-

“Jotokal Robe Podda Jamuna

Guri Meghna Bohoman

Totokal Robe Kirti tomar

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

In the diary, a page has also been dedicated visualizing the map of Bangladesh with the National Anthem inserted in it.

Like every year, the Krishi Diary 2024” contains, in addition to important phone numbers, e-mail and web addresses, agricultural data on improved varieties of different crops, seed, fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, latest innovations plus other relevant technology information.

An important feature containing guidelines for accomplishing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s direction not to leave even an inch of land uncultivated or kept fallow has also been published in the ‘Krishi Diary 2024” which no doubt will inspire the Krishibids (Agriculturists) to applying their talent and skills with more dedication and zeal towards ensuring nutritious, balanced and safe food for all and towards realizing the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman of building a poverty-free prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’.

Krishi Diary acts as an important educational tool plus practical notebook for agricultural professionals, extension workers, development workers, agri-varsity students. Journalists and general people interested in agriculture.

Meanwhile it is felt that some limited English versions of the Krishi Diary should be published for the use by the international agencies and NGOs as a reference diary.

(Tanzila Rahman (BCS) is Upazila Agriculture Officer of DAE in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Prof. M Zahidul Haque is former Professor of Agricultural Extension at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka)