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Farmers' lot must be improved

Speakers at a discussion on the country's agriculture sector and rural development have stressed on economic liberation of the farmers for ensuring growth and progress.

They observed that although major goals have been achieved in terms of production over the last decade, mainly due to the tireless efforts of the farmers, the growers were still not deriving the benefits of government subsidy as the middlemen and dealers of fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural items were depriving them of their due share.

This was the general view of politicians, experts, agriculturists, development activists and academics at a policy brief on the Task Force report on 'Appropriate Growth in the Agriculture Sector and Rural Development.'

Centre for Policy Dialogue, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star jointly arranged the programme as part of the 'three-day National Level Forum on Election: 2001' at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Dr Quazi Shahabuddin presided over the session while the caretaker government's Advisor for Agriculture and Livestock and Shipping Ministries Syed Manzur Elahi spoke on the issue as Special Guest.

Prof. M.M. Akash of Dhaka University presented the Task Force report.

Syed Manzur Elahi said that rural development and agricultural growth were integral parts of Bangladesh's socioeconomic status.

"Rural development is a function of agricultural growth. This is a necessary condition as far as rural development in Bangladesh is concerned," he added.

The Advisor, while giving a brief account of the steps taken by post independence governments on development of agriculture, felt that that the Task Force report should have been more up-to-date and could have included latest available statistics.

About the CPD Task Force report on the Appropriate Growth of the Agriculture Sector and Rural Development presented yesterday, Manzur Elahi termed it as a reflection of the Agriculture Commission Report and said that nothing new was added in it.

"These recommendations are mostly, just a repeat of the Agriculture Commission Report. I do not see any new field or new proposals here," he added.

He recalled that an Agriculture Commission was constituted in November 1996 for six months tenure, but it continued till December 1999.

He said many recommendations made by the Agriculture Commission have already been implemented or being looked into.

Regarding the Task Force's proposal on more government support for agricultural development, Elahi said that the donors and developed countries might never encourage subsidy and other assistance. So the government would always face difficulties in meeting that demand as its resources are limited.

He said that there were no alternatives to turning Bangladesh's subsistence agriculture into commercial agriculture for fighting the challenges of the 21st century'.

To reach that target, Elahi said that provisions should be made so that the agro-based industries flourish the in the country. Also steps should be taken to increase value addition of agricultural products through the processing of agro-products.

Elahi believed that with government's assistance, the private sector could bring about a revolution in the existing agro-based industry set-up.

"I believe that agricultural growth and rural development can be given a proper shape if this revolution occurs," he added.

The Advisor emphasised on the need of a consensus between the government, the private sector and the NGOs to reach the desired target.

Elahi regretted that despite the presence of a complete guideline in policy dialogues, it all remains on paper on most occasions.

"Every recommendation appear beautiful, but you can never be sure whether they are being implemented or not," he said.

On Task Force's suggestion for inventing high-breed seeds, he said that Bangladesh had already taken up those programmes and have experienced great success in this sector. Four types of high-breed rice seeds are being produced in the country and being distributed among the farmers. The agriculture extension department have also chalked up plans to popularise the seeds.

Besides, three private firms have been given the permission to import high-breed seeds and they are already selling those items.

Dr Atiur Rahman in his speech said that farmers were the chief contributors in the country's national growth and suggested an increase in use of compost fertiliser, protection of land from erosion and land reform to aid them.

General Secretary of Khetmajur Union, a front organisation of Workers' Party, said that although the country was liberated 30 years ago, people were still far from assured of their minimum food requirement.

The WP leader said the farmers are always being deprived and the market is being enjoyed by the middlemen while the surplus of the agriculture is directly going into non-productive sectors.

He lamented that although agriculture was largest private sector in the country, there has never been any significant investment there. He criticised the Task Force report for not mentioning the contribution of millions of women involved in agricultural activities.

Former Secretary Salahuddin Ahmed described jute and sugar as the main agro-based fields in Bangladesh, but felt sorry for the present state of those industries.

He said that it was not understandable why those sectors become loosing concerns. He pointed out that the Adamjee Jute Mills had made profit in the year 1981-82 but then started a slide down the hill.

He said our agro-based industries were gradually dying because of wrong policies and urged all concerned to take effective steps to save those.

Former Agriculture Minister Majid-ul-Haq said that all political parties in their respective manifestos promise food, clothing, shelter, etc. for all, but ultimately those promises never transpire. Once in power, they simply forget the pledges, he observed.

He said that all past governments tried to resolve the problems in the agriculture sector on a short-term basis, but none had any concrete plans. They all worked from their party perspectives and changed policies repeatedly.

The former Minister voiced the need for expansion of the agricultural extension department and taking it to the doorsteps of the farmers.

He said that farmers in Bangladesh do not even get the return of their production investment.

Majid-ul-Haq called for steps to limit the numbers of middlemen in the agriculture sector and proper marketing of cottage industries products to boost the rural economy.

Dr Masudur Rahman said the data used in the Task Force report were outdated. He felt the growth achieved in the agriculture sector to has to be maintained at any cost.

Gender expert Khaleda Salahuddin came down hard on the Task Force report for completely ignoring the glorious role of women in the agricultural growth and demanded land ownership to the women.

Fatema Johara of Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad said that farmers do not get the benefits of the government subsidy allocates for agriculture. Rather, the subsidy goes inside the pocket of the fertiliser dealers and middlemen.