Agricultural development in the manifesto

Thinking about agricultural development and implementing it is my profession. The stages of agricultural progress are designed by aligning the government's vision with the thoughts of farmers at the field level. Agriculture is now modern and mechanised, and information technology-based strategies are also being integrated. Subsistence farming has moved to the background, while commercial agriculture stands at the forefront.

The concept of agricultural development differs from development in other sectors. Agriculture depends on seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, pesticides, and agricultural machinery. If the demand for these inputs is not properly assessed and timely supply is not ensured, food security may face setbacks. In Bangladesh, approximately 6.8–6.9 million metric tons of seven types of fertiliser, 40,832 metric tons of pesticides, and 700,000 tons of seed are required annually. In addition, one million tons of diesel are used for irrigation. The amount varies according to the season. Modern agricultural machinery, skilled labourers, development workers, and extension specialists are also needed. Every year, the demand for these inputs is increasing. Therefore, to sustain agricultural development, it is essential to ensure easy and timely availability of these resources.

I was reading the current government's agricultural election manifesto. It is excellent and well-written. At least 12 points in the manifesto comprehensively highlight the modernisation and commercialisation of the entire agricultural system.

Through my fieldwork, I see educated young people becoming interested in agriculture-based businesses. Many are leaving expatriate life to engage in agricultural enterprises. The nature of agricultural business has also changed. Once, the main business model was to buy storable products cheaply during the season, store them, and sell them during the off-season at a higher price. Now this has changed.

The other day, someone asked me how cucumbers, eggplants, and watermelons flood the market during Ramadan. I replied that farmers have now become agricultural producers or crop producers. Before cultivating crops, they first analyse the market. They think about the timing of production, assess demand, market price, and consumer acceptance for that period, and then compare production costs with expected selling prices. This is how marginal farmers engage in agricultural business.

However, there is also the opposite picture. Some farmers still cultivate seasonal crops without much planning. Their main concern is the easy availability of agricultural inputs such as irrigation, fertiliser, and pesticides on time. In such cases, if environmental conditions are favourable, production increases, prices fall, and farmers suffer losses.

The current government's election manifesto reflects a vision for sustainable agricultural development. It mentions farmer cards, ensuring fair crop prices, and agricultural insurance for the protection of crop producers. This can encourage farmers to invest more in agriculture. Previously, they were always anxious about getting fair value for their produce.

Moreover, farmers in coastal areas and regions near hilly borders remain worried due to sudden floods, cyclones, embankment failures, and adverse climate conditions. Especially during the rice harvesting season, farmers in the Hakaluki Haor area fear sudden flooding. Many farmers take short-term agricultural loans, but due to unfavourable weather and climate risks, they often fail to harvest their crops. If agricultural insurance is introduced, farmers may have an opportunity to recover such losses. To reduce farmers' risks from natural disasters, stabilise agricultural production, and ensure food security, the government is considering introducing crop insurance even with subsidies. This would help protect food security. Although there are some risks in launching crop insurance, many people would welcome such a step in the national interest.

In today's world, every activity is evaluated in terms of financial profit and loss. Investment decisions are assessed even more carefully. For a long time, our agriculture was subsistence-based, where farmers were satisfied if they could somehow survive and meet family needs. But farmers are now moving beyond that mindset. They want to treat agriculture as a business and calculate profits and losses. Educated youth are now investing in agriculture and considering its profitable aspects.

The government has emphasised commercial agriculture in its election manifesto. Its plans include agro-entrepreneurship startup projects and the formation of entrepreneur platforms. It also includes plans for sustainable agricultural development in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This creates opportunities for young educated people to become agricultural entrepreneurs. Modern technologies will be used in the fields, enabling the production of quality agricultural goods at lower cost while making products available to consumers at competitive prices.

Entrepreneurs will expand new agricultural businesses through creativity. They will advance agricultural trade by balancing domestic and international market demand. In this regard, alongside agro-processing businesses, agriculture-based industries will expand, creating employment opportunities.

Alongside commercial agriculture, climate-resilient agriculture is also receiving government attention and planning. Measures for climate adaptation and addressing adverse climate impacts are included in government plans.

Overall, the manifesto speaks of transforming subsistence farming into commercial agriculture, ensuring farmer protection and food security, and introducing modern agricultural systems suited to the times. Now it is time for proper planning and implementation. No matter how good a plan may be, if there are shortcomings in realistic and proper planning, implementation becomes difficult. Likewise, even good plans fail due to poor execution. The sooner proper planning and effective implementation are prioritised based on realities, the sooner the welfare of the country's agriculture, farmers, and the whole of Bangladesh will be achieved.


Mohammad Arifur Rahman is Project Director, Exportable Mango Production Project, Department of Agricultural Extension.