FINAL DRAFT

National Agriculture Policy 2010

Ministry of Agriculture Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh

October 2010

Contents
Sl. no. Areas and issues 1 Introduction 2 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of Agriculture Sector 3 Objectives of the National Agriculture Policy 4 Research and Development 5 Agricultural Extension 6 Seeds and Planting Materials 7 Fertilizer 8 Minor Irrigation 9 Mechanisation in Agriculture 10 Agricultural Marketing 11 Women in Agriculture 12 Human Resource Development 13 Conclusion Page no. 2 3-5 5 5-8 8-11 11 11-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 17 17-18 19

Introduction
1.1 Agriculture is the dominant economic activity in Bangladesh and regarded as the lifeline of the Bangladesh economy. Its role is vital in enhancing productivity, profitability and employment in the rural areas for improving the wellbeing of the poor. As the largest private enterprise, agriculture (crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry) contributes about 21% of the GDP, sustains the livelihood of about 52% of the labour force, and remains a major supplier of raw materials for agro-based industries. Agriculture plays an important role in the overall economic development of Bangladesh. Agriculture is also a social sector concerned with issues like food and nutritional security, income generation and poverty reduction. Besides, it is the biggest source of market for a variety of consumer goods, including consumer durables particularly in the rural area. Hence, improvement in agricultural sector performance and acceleration in its growth are critical to reducing rural poverty. 1.2 Agricuture sector encompasses crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry sub-sectors. Separate policies on livestock, fisheries and forestry have been formulated by the respective ministries. In this perspective, Ministry of Agriculture has drafted this policy document in order to undertake and guide development activities in the crops sub-sector. As expected, policies aimed at crop production in the areas of reaserch, extension, seeds, fertilisers, minor irrigation, marketing, gender and HRD have prominence in this document. Since crop sector plays a major role in Bangladesh agriculture and gets the utmost importance in various agriculture related programmes of the government, this policy document for the development of crop sector is, therefore, entitled as the National Agriculture Policy. 1.3 It is estimated that the agricultural land is declining by 1% per year and the land quality is deteriorating owing to degradation of soil fertility (e.g. nutrient imbalance), soil erosion and soil salinity. In addition, water resources are also shrinking. In order to produce more food for an increasing population, and raw materials for agro-industries, there is a need for increasing agricultural growth through higher productivity, including increased yield, agricultural intensification and diversification, and value addition. 1.4 The overarching goal of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) matches with Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of achieving 50% reduction in the proportion of population living below the poverty by 2015. In addition to maintaining a sound macro-economic framework, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), entitled Unlocking the Potential National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (GoB, 2005), highlights the need for higher growth in rural areas, development of agriculture and rural non-farm economic activities as one of the four priority areas to accelerating pro-poor economic growth. 1.5 In order to achieve the GDP growth rate of 7% per year, agriculture must grow by at least 4-4.5% per year (PRSP, 2005). This is presumably possible through an increase in agricultural productivity (for crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and forestry) based on modern agricultural technology and a supply chain linking farmers with consumers in the domestic as well as overseas markets. 1.6 Small farms dominate the agrarian structure of Bangladesh. Therefore, performance of the sector greatly affects economic progress and people s livelihood. To reduce rural poverty 2

and improve rural livelihoods, it is necessary to recognize and to develop existing agricultural production system into a more dynamic and viable commercial sector. Agriculture has the potential to reduce food deficit as well as shortage of industrial raw materials, and also to generate employment opportunities with reasonable income, which will in turn help improve the standard of living of the rural people. The growth potential of most of the crops and other agricultural commodities are substantially higher than present level of production. 1.7 Sustainable intensification and diversification of agriculture through technological change requires an efficient and productive agricultural technology system comprising agricultural research and extension. This needs to be supported by appropriate value addition and market linkages. Enhancing productivity, resource use efficiency, using cutting age science, experimental facilities and above all productivity and maintaining a reservoir of first-rate human resources to sustain knowledge-intensive agriculture has become critically important. The Bangladesh agriculture demands considerable scientific and technological input. Today s complex national and economic environment requires increase in the effectiveness of the public expenditure in research and extension system. 1.8 Major challenges for the Bangladesh agriculture are to raising productivity and profitability, reducing instability, increasing resource-use efficiency, ensuring equity, improving quality; and meeting demands for diversification & commercialization of agriculture. 1.9 The existing National Agricultural Policy was adopted in April, 1999. With the passage of time some issues and concerns have emerged in agriculture, in some cases with new dimension. For instance, dwindling agricultural resources, declining biodiversity, climate change, increasing frequency & intensity of natural disasters, increasing input prices, soaring food prices etc. require transformation of agriculture in such a way that would address challenges to meet demands. This necessitates the revision and updating the earlier document to make it relevant to the present agro-economic context.

2.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of Agriculture Sector

For developing of a pragmatic and effective and efficient national agricultural policy, it is a pre-requisite to gauge the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are associated with the issues of policy interventions. 2.1 i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) Strengths Favourable agro-climate generally prevails throughout the year for crop production Research extension systems exist for technology generation and technology transfer/extension at farm level Experts, scientists and trained personnel are available for agricultural research and development Appropriate technologies are available for production of major crops Agricultural input providers network exists throughout the country Farmers are responsive, innovative and adaptive to new technologies

vii) viii) ix) x) 2.2 i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) 2.3 i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) 2.4 i) ii) iii)

Sufficient workforce for agricultural activities is available Wide range of biodiversity exists for different crops Water is available for irrigation A facilitative institutional and regulatory framework exists Weaknesses Agricultural marketing system is comparatively weak Post-harvest loss is high Farmers own capital for agricultural activities is inadequate Access to institutional agricultural credit is limited. Farmers organizations are inadequate and ineffective Input use (water, fertilizer, pesticides) efficiency is low Technology to meet export market requirement is inadequate Technologies to cope with unfavorable environment are insufficient Private sector investment in Research and Development is insignificant Trained scientists and infrastructural facilities for advanced agricultural science are inadequate Diversification in agriculture is low Quality control of agricultural input mechanism is weak Coordination among the public and private universities and research organizations is minimal Use of ICT in extension system is almost insufficient Opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs training are inadequate Inadequate production and supply of quality inputs persists (e.g. fertilizer, seed). Opportunities Modern technological know-how is available for dissemination Scope for expanding hybrid technology exists Prospects for adoption of advanced technology in agriculture are bright Potentials for proper utilization of hilly areas including agro-ecologically disadvantaged regions exist Export potentials exist for high-value crops to upstream and ethnic markets Scope for crop diversification and intensification exists Scope exists for value addition to agricultural produces Market for value added products exists Agriculture sector has capacity to absorb labour force and to generate income Scope for reducing yield gaps exists Threats Environmental vulnerability (climate change, flood, drought, storm, salinity, pest and diseases, river erosion) prevails Soil health is declining Cultivable land and water resources are shrinking

iv) v) vi) vii) viii)

Uncertainty of fair prices of agricultural commodities is causing disincentive to farmers Agricultural biodiversity is eroding Agricultural environment is degrading Budgetary allocation for agriculture, especially for research is inadequate Use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose is increasing

The present agriculture policy seeks to adopt a set of programme and strategies so that the strengths and opportunities can be optimally utilized, weaknesses can be eliminated and threats can be minimized.

3.
3.1

Objectives of the National Agriculture Policy

The National Agriculture Policy broadly aims at creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth of agriculture for reducing poverty and ensuring food security through increased crop production and employment opportunity as envisaged in National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and SAARC Development Goals (SDGs). 3.2 i) ii) Specific Objectives: The specific objectives are to: developing and harnessing improved technologies through research and training; increasing productivity and generating income and employment by transferring appropriate technologies and managing inputs; promoting competitiveness through commercialization of agriculture; and establishing a self-reliant and sustainable agriculture adaptive to climate change and responsive to farmers needs.

iii) iv)

4.

Research and Development (R&D)

A well-coordinated research plan is essential for the rapid development of crop sector. It needs paradigm shift in agriculture from a supply-driven to a demand-driven approach in agriculture. This will need a change in focus from production level to production efficiency, productivity and profitability. Besides, equity, employment, environmental sustainability, nutrition, food quality, trade etc. have new areas of concern even as efforts to maintain food security to continue. This demands effective introspection, reprioritization and consolidation of R & D activities besides overall accountability. The key strategies to address complex challenges are: 4.1 Governance of Research Institutions

4.1.1 The Government will continuously seek measures to strengthen coordination, planning, priority-setting, and monitoring & evaluation mechanisms in the National Agriculture Research System (NARS).

4.1.2 Incentives and built-in reward will be provided to individual researchers or research institutions for innovation, excellence in agricultural research. 4.1.3 Adequate research contingency support will be provided to scientists and institutionalize project-based activities. 4.1.4 The Government will foster research environment for better return from investment. 4.1.5 Appropriate infrastructure will be built and existing infrastructure will be maintained for research, training and outreach programmes. 4.1.6 Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC), in cooperation with agricultural research institutes will develop a research system that provide sufficient social benefits per unit of research inputs and add value for investment; it will seek to achieve small farm mechanization and precision farming. 4.1.7 Efforts will be taken to promote technological empowerment of women in agriculture. 4.2 Research Planning and Funding

4.2.1 The Government will emphasize practice of research planning and prioritization as a bottom-up initiative. 4.2.2 The Government will encourage promotion of participatory approach for conducting research activities. 4.2.3 The Government will ensure adequate and timely funding for research activities. 4.3 Research Focus and Areas

4.3.1 The research activities will focus on intensification, diversification and whole farm activities in agriculture. 4.3.2 Special attention will be given to post-production technologies, high value crops, value addition, agri-business management and trade. 4.3.3 The Government will support research on emerging issues e.g., biotechnology, hybrid, climate change, disaster and stress including flood, drought, cyclone, salinity, upland/hill, deep water crop management, organic farming. 4.3.4 The Government will support and strengthen interventions in rain-fed agriculture emphasizing productivity and sustainability of production. 4.3.5 Quality collaborative research will be encouraged to provide solution to specific problems confronting farmers within their farming systems. 4.3.6 Research undertakings will cover trans-boundary and cross-cutting issues having application across one or more production systems and the sustainability of the production systems, poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement, household food security, off-farm income generation, and rural development. 4.3.7 The Government will support agricultural policy research and technology dissemination systems of unique nature. 4.4 Transfer of Technology

4.4.1 All the research agencies will lay emphasis on technology assessment, refinement and transfer by improving interface with farmers and other stakeholders. 4.4.2 BARC and all agricultural research institutes will make efforts to enhance involvement of scientists in outreach extension programmes. 6

4.5

Equity in the Delivery of Services

4.5.1 The NARS will decentralize agricultural research management to bring the system in proximity with the target people or beneficiary. 4.5.2 The Government will endeavour to remove regional imbalance for institutional infrastructure and human resources. 4.6 Natural Resource Management

4.6.1 The Government will encourage generation and promotion of eco-friendly technology and sustainable land and water management for different agro-ecological zones and regions. 4.6.2 Research thrust will be placed on weather and crop forecasting, climate change and disaster management. 4.6.3 Conservation and effective use of life support system of soil, water, flora, fauna and atmosphere will be addressed. 4.6.4 Government will strengthen the efforts to collect, conserve and utilize genetic resources. 4.7 Informatics

4.7.1 BARC and other research institutions will develop a comprehensive relevant database for agricultural research and development planning. 4.7.2 BARC will facilitate functional electronic networking for all the stakeholders under the NARS and with other national, regional and international centres of excellence through Agricultural Research Information System. 4.8 Human Resource Development

4.8.1 BARC will strengthen the existing human resources to be nationally and globally efficient and competitive. 4.8.2 It will provide opportunities for advanced training on frontier sciences, technologies and agricultural research management. 4.8.3 It will also concentrate on human resource planning in research and development activities. 4.8.4 Continual training will be designed and delivered to enhance and to sharpen scientific, technical and managerial abilities of individuals and capacities of organizations involved in agricultural research and technology transfer. 4.9 Forging Partnership 4.9.1 NARS institutes will create opportunities for promotion of research through increased public sector and private sector collaboration. 4.9.2 BARC will complement research efforts among institutions and agencies at national and international level. 4.9.3 Ministry of Agriculture will take steps for strengthening research and extension linkage.

4.10

Technology marketing The Government will promote Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for new innovation in agriculture.

5.

Agricultural Extension

Agricultural extension is the key driving force for the growth and development of agriculture in Bangladesh. To increase farm productivity and farmers income access to new technology is required. The role of extension is to deliver services and to speed up farmers access to and adoption of new technology. The Government is mandated to providing efficient and effective need based extension services to farmers to enable them to optimize their use of resource to augment self-sufficiency in food production and to improve their nutritional status. For this, there is an increasing need for strengthening agricultural extension services to ensure production system on a sustainable basis. Appropriate institutional arrangement needs to be established so that research and extension can interact effectively with each other and with farmers to address the critical needs of the production practices at the farm level. The following provisions are adopted to make extension services more efficient and effective: 5.1 Role of Extension

The Government recognizes agricultural extension as a service delivery system which will assist farmers through appropriate technical and farm management advice and information, new technology, improved farming methods and techniques aimed at increasing production efficiency and income. 5.2 Extension Coverage

5.2.1 The Government will promote public, private and voluntary extension initiatives to achieve diverse agricultural goals and to address needs of target populations. 5.2.2 Extension services will be provided to all categories of farmers: landless, marginal, small, medium, large with special emphasis on women and youths. 5.2.3 The Government will decentralize extension activities at the grass-roots level to deliver efficient and coordinated services. 5.3 Extension Approach

5.3.1 Farmers either individuals, or as groups, will be encouraged to voice their needs and problems to extension staff. They will act as basic source of information and feedback to strengthen service network to their needs. 5.3.2 The Government will make a shift from the top-down, hierarchical approach to bottomup participatory approach in which farmers, researchers and extension workers will serve as peers. 5.3.3 The Government will recognize and adopt approaches that emerge locally through growing understanding of the nature of technological change, learning and adaptation to prevailing situations.

5.3.4 Collaboration will be initiated among research and extension organizations and universities in the field of adaptive research. 5.3.5 The Government will encourage promotion of crops suitable to agro-climatic conditions of a particular region based on crop zoning. 5.4 Agricultural Education and Training

5.4.1 Agricultural education system, especially at the diploma level will be strengthened and updated. 5.4.2 Training will be administered on a regular basis to ensure effective extension-technology transfer and technology design and planning. Training for farmers and officials at all levels as basic mechanism will be implemented for enhancing occupational competence, professionalism and service morale. 5.5 Communication Media

5.5.1 Traditional and advanced media and ICT will be utilised to disseminate extension services. 5.5.2 Agricultural Information Service (AIS) will be strengthened both in terms of workforce and modern facilities to enable effective information dissemination and technology transfer. 5.5.3 Dissemination of agricultural information and technology through print and electronic media will be strengthened focusing on enhanced collaboration among AIS, BTV and Bangladesh Betar along with other private TV and radio channels. 5.6 Partnership

5.6.1 The Government will facilitate extension events that foster GO-NGO-private sector partnership. 5.6.2 The Government will encourage public private partnership for production of agricultural commodities. 5.6.3 Strategies will be taken to deliver extension services in collaboration with local government at Union and Upazila levels. 5.6.4 The Government through Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and allied agencies will maintain liaison with the NGOs and other development partners at local level for cooperation and coordination. 5.7 Agricultural Productivity

5.7.1 The Government will continue and strengthen its support for major crops related to food security and livelihood options. In addition measures will be taken to promote high value crops to enhance farmers income and boost agricultural export. 5.7.2 Measures will be taken to increase cropping intensity, especially by bringing fallow land under cultivation. 5.7.3 Diversification of agriculture will be pursued to promote food based nutrition security.

5.7.4 The Government will monitor the supply, availability and distribution of inputs (seed, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, etc.) to farmers through DAE, BADC and other service providers. 5.7.5 Efforts will be taken to provide micro-credit support at preferential rate for selective crops. 5.7.6 Adequate financial support in the form of credit will be extended to the farmers to encourage production. Small, marginal and tenant farmers will be given preference to agricultural credit. 5.7.7 In order to make agricultural credit more accessible Agricultural Credit Foundation following the model of PKSF may be formed. 5.8 Agri-business Opportunities for Private Sector

5.8.1 The Government will provide technological support to private entrepreneurs and farmers to undertake agri-business activities. 5.8.2 Enabling conditions will be created to expand local and overseas markets for agribusiness opportunities. 5.9 Quality Assurance

5.9.1 The Government will promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in production and in supply chain management. 5.9.2 Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures will be ensured during production, processing and marketing. 5.9.3 Quarantine services will be strengthened to meet the needs of both domestic and export market. 5.10 Programme for Agro-ecologically Disadvantaged Regions The Government will pursue programme for hilly area, drought-prone area, Barind tract char land, monga-prone area, haor-baor and coastal belt with appropriate technological support. 5.11 Addressing Vulnerabilities

5.11.1 To facilitate multiple approaches during and after crises the Government will combine immediate assistance, and short, mid and long term development programme for the affected farmers to enhance productivity and to create employment involving the private bodies, NGOs, philanthropic organizations and private individuals. 5.11.2 The Government will undertake agricultural rehabilitation programme immediately after the occurrence of natural calamities to overcome crop damage. 5.11.3 Measures will be taken to protect crops in the coastal, haor, beel and char areas keeping harmony with other sub-sectors production. 5.11.4 The Government may consider introducing crop insurance programme. 5.11.5 The MoA may consider establishment of an agricultural disaster response fund in the MoA to start post disaster rehabilitation programme immediately after a disaster.

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5.12

Environmental and Resource Conservation

5.12.1 The Government will promote modern eco-friendly technology and infrastructure for a safe and sustainable future. 5.12.2 Integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated crop management (ICM) will be promoted for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable land & water management. 5.12.3 Measures will be taken to restrict the conversion of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes. 5.13 Non-farm Activities

5.13.1 The Government will promote poverty reduction through creation of employment opportunities in rural non-farm sectors. 5.13.2 Necessary support will be provided for non-farm income generation activities for the poor and disadvantaged farmers. 5.14 Database

5.14.1 DAE and relevant agencies will develop and maintain a comprehensive database covering resource base, inputs, technology, production and marketing aspects for agricultural development and planning. 5.14.2 Efforts will be made to disseminate and to facilitate access of the stakeholder to relevant database. 5.14.3 The Government will prepare a comprehensive user friendly database on farmers, technologies and agriculture. 5.15 Labour and Child Labour in Agriculture

5.15.1 Welfare of agricultural labourers will be streamlined in development programmes and projects. 5.15.2 The Government will fully discourage engagement of child labour in hazardous agricultural activities. 5.15.3 The Government and relevant agencies will organize awareness-building programmes to prevent child labour in agriculture. 5.15.4 Care must be taken so that children s opportunities for food, education and life skills are not blocked.

6.

Seeds and Planting Materials

At present, only a small portion of the required quality seeds for different crops is made available mostly by the public sector. Few seed companies and NGOs have started supplying quality seed primarily hybrids of rice, maize and vegetables. A portion of the required quality seed is produced, preserved and used under private management especially at the farmers level. 6.1 Breeding, Development and Maintenance of Crop Varieties 6.1.1 Private persons, companies and other agencies will be encouraged to undertake plant breeding programmes and to import breeder/ foundation seeds of notified crops for variety development and promotional purposes.

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6.1.2 Individuals, companies or agencies engaged in the seed production and business will be provided access to institutional credit at preferential rates of interest. 6.1.3 Balanced development of the seed sector will be promoted by providing opportunities to the public sector and the private sector at all stages of the seed industry from breeding to marketing. 6.1.4 Any individual, company or agency willing to embark upon breeding, developing and registering new seed varieties, or package seed in labeled containers must be registered with the Seed Wing, MoA or the competent authority to be declared by the Government. 6.2 Multiplication and Distribution of Seed 6.2.1 Access to Breeder Seed and Foundation Seed will be facilitated by public, private agencies and farmers. 6.2.2 The government will maintain seed security stock to cope with the emergent or contingent situations. 6.2.3 The private sector will be encouraged to build necessary facilities for seed production, processing, preservation and marketing. 6.3 Support to Public and Private Sector Seed Industries

6.3.1 The competency of the contract farmers will be developed by the public sector and the private sector to grow quality seeds. 6.3.2 The public sector and the private sector will initiate programmes to create awareness among farmers for adoption of new varieties and new technologies in the farmers field. 6.4 Strengthening Quality Control of Seed

6.4.1 Seed certification and enforcement of seed regulations will be strengthened for increasing availability of quality seeds. 6.4.2 Quality assurance of seed will be enforced at all stages of seed system from production to marketing including seed import and export.

7.

Fertiliser

Fertilizer is one of the critical inputs required for increasing crop production. The expansion of modern agricultural practices together with intensified cultivation has led to an increasing demand for fertilizers. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure timely supply of fertilizers to meet the increasing demand. Imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers is causing land degradation excessive mining of plant nutrients resulting in the decline of soil fertility on the one hand and reduction in the potential yield on the other. It is, therefore, important to adopt pragmatic measure so as to encourage farmers in using balanced fertilizers to maintain soil fertility. To strengthen fertilizer management, the government will pursue following principles: 7.1 7.1.1 Procurement and Distribution Procurement and distribution of fertilizers both in the private and the public sector will continue.

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7.1.2 Steps will be taken to maintain a fertilizer buffer stock at the regional, district and upazila level. 7.2 Quality Control

7.2.1 The Government will facilitate availability of quality fertilizers at farmers level. 7.2.2 Production, importation, marketing, distribution and use of any kinds of fertilizer that are harmful or detrimental to plant, soil, flora and fauna will be banned. 7.2.3 The Government will strengthen analytical facilities to assess the quality of fertilizers. 7.3 Promotion of Organic Fertilizer and Balanced Fertilizer Use

7.3.1 The Government will encourage use of organic manure, compost and bio-fertilizer at farmers level. 7.3.2 Awareness will be built to follow suitable cropping patterns to maintain natural balance of soil nutrients. 7.3.3 Necessary support will be given to farmers to encourage use of balanced and organic fertilizer. 7.4 Training

7.4.1 Appropriate training will be imparted to farmers in using balanced fertilizers. 7.4.2 Training will be extended to officials, scientists, traders, distributors and entrepreneurs for capacity strengthening on fertilizer management. 7.5 Fertilizer Monitoring The Government will monitor supply, storage, price and quality of fertilizer at various levels.

8.

Irrigation

Irrigation is considered as one of the most essential inputs for increasing crop production. Presently about 90-95 percent of the total irrigated area is covered by minor irrigation. Country s food production largely depends upon minor irrigation and shallow tube well (STW) now being used in the country. Owing to shrinkage of water resources a significant portion of area is not getting water during lean period. Moreover, river linking project of the upper riparian country is likely to aggravate the situation. A well-planned irrigation management system is, therefore, essential for gradual increase of cropping intensity as well as yield. As such, national agriculture policy places special emphasis on the judicious use of water resources. Although minor irrigation is largely the domain of the private sector, the public sector holds the responsibility of efficient water management system by which expansion of low cost sustainable irrigation facilities can be provided. The guidelines are as follows:

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8.1

Water Productivity and Efficiency

8.1.1 The Government will facilitate dissemination of water management technology to enhance irrigation efficiency and water productivity through optimal use of available water resources. 8.1.2 Modern irrigation, drainage and water application systems will be introduced for expanding irrigation coverage including difficult or disadvantaged areas i.e. in char, hilly, Barind tract, drought-prone and saline areas. 8.1.3 The distance between two tube-wells will be chosen in such a way so that it meets needs of both safe extraction of groundwater and increase of irrigation efficiency. 8.2 Training for Irrigation Technology

8.2.1 The Government will encourage and train private entrepreneurs and unemployed youths on operation, repair and maintenance of irrigation equipment. 8.2.2 Training of farmers and technical personnel on On-farm Water Management (OFWM) technology will be strengthened to bridge knowledge gap as well as yield gap. 8.3 Planning and Monitoring

8.3.1 The existing surveying and monitoring activities of both quantity and quality of irrigation water will be strengthened to formulate pragmatic irrigation and water management plan. 8.3.2 BADC, BMDA and allied agencies will prepare and update ground water zoning map for judicious use of ground water resources. 8.4 Conservation and Utilization

8.4.1 The Government will promote re-excavation of canals, ponds and other water bodies for conservation and utilization of surface water through inter-agency collaboration. 8.4.2 Replacement of suction mode pump by force mode pump critical areas will be encouraged by the Government for maximizing water use. 8.4.3 Multipurpose use of irrigation water will be encouraged. 8.4.4 The Government will promote and encourage groundwater recharge through water-shed management. 8.4.5 The Government will take initiatives to reclaim water logged areas. 8.5 Power for Irrigation

8.5.1 Preferential access will be given to power-source for irrigation through intimate interagency collaboration. 8.5.2 Efforts will be made to strike a balance between irrigation cost by electricity and diesel.

9.

Mechanization in Agriculture

Mechanization is an important tool for profitable and competitive agriculture. The need for mechanization is increasing fast with the decrease of draft power. Without mechanization it

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will not be possible to maintain multiple cropping patterns, which need quick land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting processing etc. Significant increase in use of agri-machinery primarily in tilling, seeding, weeding and threshing has been achieved. This trend needs to be extended further so that efficiency of production can be achieved with increased production and reduced cost. Mechanization should include post harvest activities including processing and preservation. 9.1 Research and Development

9.1.1 Research and development on mechanization of agriculture and appropriate agricultural machinery and equipment will be pioneered by the Government. 9.2 Manufacturing of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment

9.2.1 The Government will encourage production and manufacturing of agricultural machinery adaptive to our socio-economic context. Manufacturing workshops and industries engaged in agricultural mechanization activities will be provided with appropriate support. 9.3 Support and Incentives

9.3.1 The existing facility of waving testing and standardization of agricultural machineries will be continued with exemption of import duties to keep the price within the reach of the farmers. 9.3.2 Efforts will be made to rationalize import duties on raw materials of agricultural machinery to encourage local manufacturers and to keep the price of local machineries competitive with the imported ones. 9.3.3 To speed up the process of agricultural mechanization both producers and users of agrimachineries will be provided with necessary support including credit. 9.3.4 The Government will promote mechanization by giving cash incentives for selective machinery at producer, manufacturer and farmers levels. 9.4 Training Training will be imparted to stakeholders in agricultural mechanization like operators, farmers, rural youths, manufacturers on repair and maintenance of agri-machinery at rural level.

10.

Agricultural Marketing

The agricultural marketing system provides the bridging link between farm produces and the consumers of food and agricultural products. As agricultural products need to be marketed, there is a need for building a strong market infrastructure to bring efficiency in marketing services. Development of efficient agricultural marketing system will, therefore, help farmers enhance their bargaining power and enable them to fetch better prices for their produces.

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10.1

Market Infrastructure Development

10.1.1 The Government will facilitate smooth flow of agricultural produces from the production point to the consumption point by setting up village market and improving distribution to main markets. 10.1.2 Efforts will be made to develop effective value chain between producers and consumers. 10.1.3 Both the private and the public sectors will be encouraged in the initiatives in market improvement of agricultural products. 10.1.4 The agri-marketing institutions will be strengthened and reformed. 10.1.5 The Government will encourage private sector investment in establishing ware houses and cold storage facilities for agricultural produces . 10.2 Market Intelligence and Extension Services

10.2.1 The Government will encourage collection and dissemination of market information of agricultural produces and inputs to farmers, traders, entrepreneurs, and consumers. 10.2.2 The Government will promote the services required by farmers and entrepreneurs for value addition to agricultural produces. 10.2.3 Both the public and the private initiatives on agro-market research for fair price and quality product will be encouraged. 10.2.4 The Government will promote food safety issues during production and post-production activities. 10.3 Export and Market Promotion

10.3.1 Export of agro-products to both the ethnic and the upstream markets will be encouraged by the government. 10.3.2 The Government will take steps to diversify products and to explore new and potential markets abroad. 10.4 Market Regulation and Facilitation

10.4.1 In order to increase efficiency of market operation, market regulation will be strengthened and updated. 10.4.2 The Government will encourage the public-private partnership and coordination for efficient market operation. 10.4.3 The Government will create Agriculture Price Commission to provide guidelines to strengthen agricultural marketing, to ensure fair price for farmers and affordable price for consumers. 10.5 Agri-business Agri-business initiatives by farmers, traders and entrepreneurs will be facilitated and necessary support and incentive will be provided as and when deemed necessary.

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11.

Women in Agriculture

Women represent nearly half of the country's human resources. For this, the government believes that more women comprising officials and farmers should enter the agricultural workforce. As women have potentials to contribute to agricultural growth, it is obligatory on the part of the Government to meaningfully involve them in agriculture-related income-generating activities and to develop their human resources. 11.1 Empowerment of Women

11.1.1 Necessary support will be provided for capacity building of women in promoting household food and nutrition security. 11.1.2 The Government will facilitate increased women participation in management decision making and their advancement in agriculture. 11.1.3 Efforts will be made to ensure women s equal access to agricultural inputs (e.g. seed, fertilizer, credit, education & training, information etc.). 11.2 Participation in Production and Marketing

11.2.1 The Government will encourage participation of the rural poor women in production of crops particularly in agro-processing and agri-business activities so that they can improve their economic well-being. 11.2.2 Womens participation in agricultural production system will be facilitated through access to agricultural technologies. 11.2.3 The Government will take steps to encourage women s participation in various extension programmes like training, farmers' rally and workshop. 11.3 Income Generation

11.3.1 The Government will provide credit support to women for agricultural activities such as homestead gardening, post harvest activities, seed production & preservation, nursery, bee-keeping, food processing etc. 11.3.2 The government will provide micro-credit support to women for small-scale agroprocessing, storage and preservation. 11.3.3 Efforts will be made to ensure non-discrimination in wages. 11.4 Budgetary Allocation A block allocation in the agricultural budget will be made exclusively for undertaking women related activities and programmes.

12.

Human Resource Development

As a predominantly agricultural country, Bangladesh needs to have a vast reservoir of educated, trained and skilled agri-workforce to bridge the gap between the production capacity of farmers and the consumption requirement of citizens and to ensure their food security. Effective

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human resource development (HRD) should be based on appropriate human resource, planning and career development. This can be achieved through developing appropriate training and education packages including in-service training and through performance based reward system. Major challenge is to develop an efficient workforce capable enough to cope with the emerging issues of technology and to acquire skills of development entrepreneurship. The government plans to introduce innovative approaches to upgrade the skill of farmers and technological empowerment of women engaged in agriculture. The government therefore places high priority on training as a tool for developing human resources in the field of agriculture. 12.1 Training Coverage 12.1.1 Personnel associated with research and development in agriculture will be brought under the umbrella of training. 12.1.2 National Agricultural Training Academy (NATA) will offer training including foundation and departmental to officials engaged in agriculture. 12.2 Facilities and Programme Development

12.2.1 Agricultural human resource development programmes will be launched for improving standards of short term, medium term and long term training. 12.2.2 The government will create and strengthen facilities for training of various functionaries of research and extension system to address demand-led areas in agriculture. 12.2.3 Training facilities will be strengthened at a level that will be nationally and globally competitive. 12.3 Incentives

12.3.1 Awards will be instituted to recognize and promote excellence in teaching & training, research, extension and crop production and agricultural development activities. 12.3.2 Provision for visiting scientists, sabbaticals, national fellows will be introduced to promote excellence in agricultural science, extension and research management. 12.3.3 Performance of trainee officials in the departmental training will be counted as one of the major criteria for nomination of higher study and overseas training. 12.4 Partnership

12.4.1 The Government will encourage forging strategic partnership with agriculture-centred HRD institutions of both developed and developing countries to enrich knowledge base and to harness technology in the field of agriculture. 12.4.2 Harnessing complementarities and synergies through strong linkages among institutions at national level and international level will be constantly pursued. 12.5 Budgetary Provision A block allocation will be made exclusively for carrying out HRD and training related activities.

13. Dominance of Bengali: If any confusion arises between English and Bengali version of this Policy, the Bengali version will prevail.

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14.

Conclusion

The provisions as detailed above have been drawn on the basis of empirical findings of a host of researchers, practitioners and experts. The proper implementation of the National Agriculture Policy will transform the crop production system, and for that matter the overall agriculture into a dynamic sector over time, which is expected to bring about significant positive changes in the economy of the country. It is hoped that farmers, researchers, scientists, agri-business communities, civil servants and politicians will make their respective contribution to the implementation of the present National Agriculture Policy and through this process the goals of PRSP, MDGs, and SDGs will be fulfilled.

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