Shykh Seraj speaks at a press conference at Channel i office in the city yesterday. On his left is Faridur Reza Sagor. About 25 years ago when the people of southern region especially the district of Bagerhat were enduring hardship, only one man's initiative changed the socio-economic scenario of the whole area. Syed Keramat Ali, a shrimp cultivator of Faltita at Mollarhat under Fakirhat upazila of Bagerhat district, brought the changes in people's lives by starting shrimp cultivation in 1978. His continuous efforts changed the fate of thousands of people as most of them started shrimp cultivation under his direction and helped the country earn a huge amount of valuable foreign exchange. Keramat Ali has been declared the winner of Channel i Krishi Padak 2008 for his outstanding contribution to agriculture and rural development. Managing Director of Channel i Faridur Reza Sagor announced his name at a press conference at Channel i office in the capital which was organised on the occasion of stepping into fifth year of its popular agriculture-based documentary programme titled 'Hridoy-e Mati O Manush'. The Channel i Krishi Padak will be conferred on Keramat Ali at a ceremony at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city on March 28, he added. He will receive a crest and Tk 50000 in cash. Sagor said Channel i has been giving the award to an enlightened people or organisation every year for their contribution in the field of agriculture and rural development since 2006. During question-answer session, Shykh Seraj, director of both the programme and Channel I, said the rights of the farmers need to be ensured for the sake of the country's development. Though the farmers are making significant contributions to the country's economy by producing a large quantity of foodgrains they do not get enough seed, water, fertiliser and agricultural loan, he said, adding, if the successive governments formulate rural-based policy, there will be no such problems in future. He said as a large section of the country's population are farmers no development is possible excluding them. Seraj said the production of food grain is decreasing globally due to climate change and that is why the agricultural land should not be used for industrial purpose. Hridoy-e Mati O Manush is going to step in fifth year on February 21, he said, adding that they will continue their efforts for the development of farmers in the coming days. The slogan of the programme on the occasion of stepping into fifth year will be 'Let us raise our voice for implementing the farmers' rights'. Mir Nawbat Ali, head of market communication of Grameen Phone, and Adittya Shaheen of Channel i also spoke at the press conference.