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Rural Non-farm Sector
with Export Markets
(From
page-1)
Two papers were presented at the dialogue.
The paper entitled Rural Non-farm Economy in Bangladesh:
Characteristics and Issues for Development was presented
by Mr. M.A. Sattar Mandal, Professor, Bangladesh Agricultural
University, Mymensinh which he prepared jointly with
Dr. M. Asaduzzaman, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute
of Development Studies. The other paper entitled Rural
Non-farm Economy in Bangladesh: A View from Household
Surveys was presented by Dr. Mahabub Hossain, Head,
Social Sciences Division, International Rice Research
Institute, Manila, Philippines.
In his presentation, Professor M. A. Sattar Mandal noted
that increased rural non-farm activities have had positive
impact on the reduction of rural poverty, especially
hardcore poverty. Income from RNF activities contribute
to a more equitable distribution of resources as these
create work opportunities for the large masses of unskilled
labour and vulnerable groups. He noted that these activities
reduce rural-urban migration and benefits women and
working children. Presenting the keynote paper, Dr.
Mahabub Hossain pointed out that the transition from
agriculture to a non-farm based rural economy is being
reinforced by an improvement in human capital, development
of the rural transport network, expansion of rural electrification,
and to some extent by the expansion of credit provided
by the NGOs. Nevertheless, according to Dr. Hossain
the challenges confronting the policymakers are to devise
and implement programmes and projects that facilitate
the distribution of non-farm employment in favor of
land-poor households.
In his speech, the Chief Guest of the session, Industries
Minister Mr. M.K. Anwar, MP, underscored the need for
establishing linkages between the RNF sector and the
export markets. "Considering the unlikelihood of
expansion in cultivable land, future growth in
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Dr. Mahabub Hossain and Professor M.A. Sattar Mandal
making keynote presentation
Bangladesh's economy largely depends on the expansion
of the RNF activities," the Minister added.
Emphasising on the graduation of rural peasants from
subsistence level to a relatively better off level,
former Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury mentioned
that easy access of the farmers to microcredit facilities
is a critical factor in this regard. The former Minister
also highlighted the contribution of the rural women
in the post-harvest management process.
The session chair, Professor Rehman Sobhan, recommended
for expansion of credit portfolios in the formal banking
and NGO channels so that the RNF sector did not shrink
due to financial constraints.
Among other participants, former Finance Minister Mr.
M. Syeduzzaman, former Advisor to the Caretaker Government
Mr. Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Industries Secretary Mr.
Al-Ameen Chowdhury, Prof. Moazzem Hossein, former Secretary
Dr. Taufiq E. Elahi Chowdhury, Member of the Planning
Commission Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Economists
Dr. Sajjad Zohir and Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman took
part in the open-floor discussion.
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