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Why agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh's development
Story in: August-2024
Story: Why agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh's development
Agriculture and farmers are the backbone of Bangladesh's economy. In the constitution of Bangladesh, taking effective measures for the agricultural revolution, improving the nutritional level of the people, and improving public health are identified as one of the duties of the state. Agriculture is very closely connected with the life and livelihood of the people of Bangladesh. The economic development of this country is not possible without agriculture. Proper planning is essential for the overall development of the agricultural sector in keeping with the growing population of the country.
Agriculture plays an important role in the prosperity of large communities by increasing productivity and income and creating employment in rural areas. The agricultural sector i.e. crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry contributes significantly to the country's GDP, employing nearly half of the labor force and the main raw material for agro-based industries. Agriculture is a special sector of social activity that is closely related to important issues such as food and nutrition security, income generation, and poverty reduction. In addition, agriculture is the source of various consumer goods, especially goods based on consumer market demand in rural areas.
Although Bangladesh is an agricultural country, before independence, due to wrong policies and negligence, the majority of the people of this country did not get rice for two meals a day. After independence, the Bangladesh government adopted various policies giving priority to agriculture. Subsequently, it plays a role in achieving food security and self-sufficiency in the country.
The agriculture sector consists of crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry sub-sectors. The crop sector plays an important role in the agriculture of Bangladesh and the crop sector is given the most importance in the various agricultural programs of the government. The amount of agricultural land in the country is decreasing at a rate of about 1 percent every year and soil quality is decreasing due to soil degradation loss of fertility and increase in soil salinity. Moreover, water resources are also shrinking. The need to produce more food for a growing population on shrinking land and supply raw materials to agro-based industries requires increased productivity, intensification, and diversification of agriculture along with value addition.
We have come to this fact by adopting agri-friendly policies and timely programs for the modernization of agriculture and overall development over the past decade. We have established new agricultural universities to promote modern agricultural education. We have increased research opportunities in agricultural universities and research institutes related to agriculture. The use of digital technology in agriculture is confirmed. Arrangements have been made for the direct exchange of information with farmers through Krishi Batayan, Krishak-Bandhu Phone Seva (3331), Krishik Janta, Krishi Call Center (16123), etc.
As a result, flood, drought, and salinity tolerant crop varieties including floating farming to combat climate change, diverse crop production, transgenic varieties, discovery of jute genome sequence, and acquisition of intellectual property have become possible. The government is providing cash assistance to farmers by reducing the prices of all agricultural inputs including fertilizers and seeds, providing low-interest loans on simple terms, and opening bank accounts of Tk 10. Various agricultural machinery including power tillers and harvesters are being distributed to farmers at subsidized prices of up to 70 percent. As a result of the implementation of these programs, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in food production today.
Agricultural machinery and technology encourage the country's farming community to modernize and mechanize agriculture. The overall development of agriculture has been ensured due to the increased opportunities for mutual information and experience exchange between researchers, manufacturers, importers, technology users, and domestic and foreign entrepreneurs related to agriculture and agricultural technology. Such development activities should be continued to increase sustainable productivity and ensure food security in the agricultural sector of the country. - Editor
Home Editorial Calendar Why agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh's development
Story: Why agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh's development
Agriculture and farmers are the backbone of Bangladesh's economy. In the constitution of Bangladesh, taking effective measures for the agricultural revolution, improving the nutritional level of the people, and improving public health are identified as one of the duties of the state. Agriculture is very closely connected with the life and livelihood of the people of Bangladesh. The economic development of this country is not possible without agriculture. Proper planning is essential for the overall development of the agricultural sector in keeping with the growing population of the country.
Agriculture plays an important role in the prosperity of large communities by increasing productivity and income and creating employment in rural areas. The agricultural sector i.e. crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry contributes significantly to the country's GDP, employing nearly half of the labor force and the main raw material for agro-based industries. Agriculture is a special sector of social activity that is closely related to important issues such as food and nutrition security, income generation, and poverty reduction. In addition, agriculture is the source of various consumer goods, especially goods based on consumer market demand in rural areas.
Although Bangladesh is an agricultural country, before independence, due to wrong policies and negligence, the majority of the people of this country did not get rice for two meals a day. After independence, the Bangladesh government adopted various policies giving priority to agriculture. Subsequently, it plays a role in achieving food security and self-sufficiency in the country.
The agriculture sector consists of crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry sub-sectors. The crop sector plays an important role in the agriculture of Bangladesh and the crop sector is given the most importance in the various agricultural programs of the government. The amount of agricultural land in the country is decreasing at a rate of about 1 percent every year and soil quality is decreasing due to soil degradation loss of fertility and increase in soil salinity. Moreover, water resources are also shrinking. The need to produce more food for a growing population on shrinking land and supply raw materials to agro-based industries requires increased productivity, intensification, and diversification of agriculture along with value addition.
We have come to this fact by adopting agri-friendly policies and timely programs for the modernization of agriculture and overall development over the past decade. We have established new agricultural universities to promote modern agricultural education. We have increased research opportunities in agricultural universities and research institutes related to agriculture. The use of digital technology in agriculture is confirmed. Arrangements have been made for the direct exchange of information with farmers through Krishi Batayan, Krishak-Bandhu Phone Seva (3331), Krishik Janta, Krishi Call Center (16123), etc.
As a result, flood, drought, and salinity tolerant crop varieties including floating farming to combat climate change, diverse crop production, transgenic varieties, discovery of jute genome sequence, and acquisition of intellectual property have become possible. The government is providing cash assistance to farmers by reducing the prices of all agricultural inputs including fertilizers and seeds, providing low-interest loans on simple terms, and opening bank accounts of Tk 10. Various agricultural machinery including power tillers and harvesters are being distributed to farmers at subsidized prices of up to 70 percent. As a result of the implementation of these programs, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in food production today.
Agricultural machinery and technology encourage the country's farming community to modernize and mechanize agriculture. The overall development of agriculture has been ensured due to the increased opportunities for mutual information and experience exchange between researchers, manufacturers, importers, technology users, and domestic and foreign entrepreneurs related to agriculture and agricultural technology. Such development activities should be continued to increase sustainable productivity and ensure food security in the agricultural sector of the country. - Editor
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