At present, the Awami League government under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is also working with the highest importance on agriculture in the management of the state.
According to related sources, rice production has crossed the record in the fiscal year 2022-23. Currently, Bangladesh ranks third in the world in the production of rice, vegetables, and onions. Apart from this, Amadeo country ranks 2nd in jute production, 4th in tea production, and 7th in potato production. Domestic and foreign fruit cultivation is progressing well. Farmers are being encouraged to cultivate various unconventional but profitable crops including coffee, cashew nut, pepper, malta, and dragon fruit. In 2006, the per capita consumption of fruit was 55 grams, in 15 years it increased to 85 grams in 2023. In 15 years, 699 tolerant, improved and high-yielding varieties of crops and about 708 technologies have been developed in the country. Apart from this, work is going on to modernize agriculture through mechanization.
From 2010 to 2023, about 1 lakh 33 thousand agricultural machinery including combine harvesters, reapers, seeders, and power tillers have been provided to farmers at subsidized prices. The implementation of the agricultural mechanization project worth Tk 3000 crore is ongoing. All in all, the agricultural system of the country is being transformed from 'subsistence' agriculture to 'commercial agriculture'. To keep this trend intact, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League has pledged to follow a sustainable development strategy based on the plan in the manifesto.
The strategy aims to meet the nutritional needs of the growing population, ensure supply and access to nutritious food for all, development of commercial agriculture, expansion of agro-based industries, development of rural physical infrastructure, increase and diversification of exports of agricultural and non-agricultural products, poverty alleviation and improvement of the standard of living of the rural population. As always, the annual budget allocation will be increased and private investment in the rural sector will be encouraged this time. 'Food for all' is the main goal and commitment of Awami League. The sustainable development strategy will continue to be followed based on the vision plan formulated for the development of agriculture, agro-agriculture and rural economy. The strategy aims to meet the nutritional needs of the growing population, ensure supply and access to nutritious food for all, development of commercial agriculture, expansion of agro-based industries, development of rural physical infrastructure, increase and diversification of exports of agricultural and non-agricultural products, poverty alleviation and upliftment of the standard of living of the rural population.
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An increase in annual budget allocation and private investment in the rural sector will be encouraged. Bangabandhu's daughter promised that the program already taken to increase agricultural production will be expanded in the coming days. Agricultural loans will continue to be given at subsidized interest of 4 percent to make agricultural loans accessible and affordable; The central bank will refinance commercial banks at a rate of 0.5 percent. As a result, commercial banks will be more encouraged to distribute agricultural loans.
Apart from this, the Awami League will continue to provide support and subsidies for agriculture as well as investment support in agricultural materials to increase agricultural production. Also, easy-to-use agricultural machinery will be made available and readily available to reduce labor shortage in agriculture and increase productivity. Subsidy will continue on agricultural machinery. The Awami League government is already implementing the policy of bringing all lands under cultivation with the aim of further increasing agricultural production. Sheikh Hasina's promise, no land will remain uncultivated. Emphasis will be placed on developing integrated agricultural systems. Apart from this, ensuring food security, meeting nutritional needs, creating employment, alleviating poverty, expanding export trade, and above all, the importance of fisheries and livestock sector in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh is immense.
Sheikh Hasina's government is giving equal importance to the fisheries and livestock sectors to create entrepreneurs, create employment, and keep the rural economy functioning to meet the animal needs of the growing population. By 2028, livestock productivity will be increased by one and a half times. Loans on soft terms, necessary subsidies, technical advice, and policy support will be provided to establish commercial dairy and poultry farms, increase self-employment, and alleviate poverty. An increase in domestic production of quality fodder materials, expansion of processing technology, and reasonable pricing will be ensured.
Diversification of animal products, processing, and export-oriented industries will be expanded. Commercial farm mechanization and automated production systems will expand in preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution. By ensuring sustainable fish production to achieve food security with maximum use of resources, fish production will be increased from 49 lakh 15 thousand metric tons to 58 lakh 40 thousand metric tons and the amount of fish consumption per person will be increased from 67.80 grams to 75 grams to meet nutritional needs.
Strengthening the sound management of marine fisheries resources and responsible fishing will ensure to development a green economy. Delta hotspot-based projects and programs will be undertaken to improve the quality of life and adapt and increase the capacity of local communities to deal with the adverse effects of climate change.
Ensuring sustainable use of fishery resources through value chain development, and production of diverse value-added fisheries and fishery products will reduce fishery wastage by 10 percent and create employment for about 6 lakh people in this sector in the next 5 years. To increase the export of fish and fish products, the private sector will be encouraged in the production and marketing of export-oriented fish and fish products; Export income will be increased from Tk 4,790 crore to Tk 15,000 crore by organizing fish expo and establishing exclusive economic zone for processing fish products to encourage importers to expand new markets outside the country.
The ongoing program will be expanded to increase livestock production. Facilities will be increased for processing, marketing and value addition of these products. Improved varieties of fry, feed, and disease treatment will be continued for further expansion of fish farming in ponds and paddy fields where possible. Other facilities including cheap capital and electricity connection will continue to be provided to the farmers.
ConcludedHiren Pandit is a columnist and a researcher
