Motaher Hossain

Now Bangladesh has become a food surplus and resource overflowing country . This amazing achievement was possible due to the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As she has been running the country for the last 15 years, it has been possible to turn Bangladesh into a 'role model of development' in the world.

The hero of this achievement in agriculture sector is Minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzak. Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute, BADC and other organizations under his Ministry played role in this regard.

In the age of technology, agriculture is one of the main driving forces in the country's economy and people's livelihood. agriculture contributes 11.20% to GDP (BBS 2023). Manpower engaged in agriculture is 46.96 percent. considering the importance of agriculture in the country's economic development.

Bangabandhu called for a green revolution especially in agriculture and started a sustainable agricultural revolution by introducing science-based farming techniques. In 1996, Sheikh Hasina came to the charge of government the state and gave the most importance to the agriculture sector. Because of this, Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in food grains in just five years. Later, the government formed under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina in 2009 established effective linkages in agricultural expansion, distribution of agricultural inputs at fair prices, increased investment in agricultural research, innovation and expansion of new varieties and technologies of crops.14,846 km of canals were re-excavated and 30,562 km of irrigation canals were laid. 15 rubber dams and 2832 irrigation infrastructures were constructed.

For the first time two hydraulic elevator dams based on state-of-the-art technology have been constructed at Anwara in chittagong and bharashankh Canal at Chakoria in Cox's Bazar. As a result of the construction of the two dams, an additional 2,050 hectares of land has come under irrigation. the government has taken up the 'Agricultural Loans for Farmers' program funded by Bangladesh Bank from the fiscal year 2009-10. Every year, loans are provided to farmers under the “Agricultural and Rural Credit Policy” of bangladesh bank.

In the financial year 2009-10, 17.29 lakh small and marginal farmers received loans of Tk 4 thousand 765 crore through various banks. In the financial year 2022-23, 27.36 lakh small and marginal farmers received loans of Tk 22 thousand 402 crore from various banks. It is to be noted that nearly 9 lakh customers have received agricultural loans of Tk 9175.95 crore at 4% subsidized interest to deal with Corona. In the last 14 years, 1 thousand 937 crores 34 lakh Taka of incentives/agricultural rehabilitation have been given to encourage farmers to cultivate crops to compensate for the losses caused by various natural disasters such as floods, droughts, hail, extreme rains, cyclones, upstream landslides, mountain landslides etc.

The agricultural scientists of the country unveiled the life mystery of Tosha jute for the first time in the world through the discovery of genome sequencing. Later, the fungus responsible for devastating diseases of more than five hundred plants, including jute, and the life secret of native jute was revealed. In 2018, the mystery of Dhincha's life was also revealed. Encouraging private enterprises in processing, marketing and storage of agricultural produce is also underway. Out of this, 5 offices cum training and processing centers have been set up in 5 districts.

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) developed 347 varieties and 403 crop production technologies from 2009-2023 including high yielding and adverse environment tolerant and hybrids of 209 crops. Agricultural production is increasing through the development and expansion of modern agricultural technologies for disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. Expansion of Bridhan-47, Bridhan-53, Bridhan-54, Bridhan-61, Bina Dhan-8 and Bina Dhan-10 in coastal saline areas, Bridhan-51, Bridhan-52 in flood prone areas and Bina Dhan-7 and Bridhan in drought areas. 33, Bridhan-39, Bridhan-56, Bridhan-57, are being popularized and successfully expanded at the farmer level. Production per acre of wheat has increased due to expansion of heat tolerant wheat varieties Bari Gham-26, Bari Gham-27, Bari Gham-28, Bari Gham-30 and salinity tolerant varieties Bari Gham-25.

Use of Information and Communication Technology in Agriculture: “Krishi Batayan” has been developed to bring agricultural services easily to the farmers' doorsteps. A total of 499 Agriculture Information and Communication Centers (AICC) were set up in the country. Farmers can get agricultural information services by calling the agricultural call center number 16123 from any phone.
agricultural information services are being delivered at the doorstep of farmers through Agricultural Community Radio, Farmer Friend Phone-3331, Online Fertilizer Recommendation, E-Irrigation Service, Rice Knowledge Bank, Agricultural Technology Repository, E-Balinasak Prescription, Farmer's Window, and Farmer’s Digital Address etc.

Besides, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council has launched online and GIS based 'Crop Zoning Website' and 'Khamari' mobile apps for the purpose of crop cultivation by selecting suitable areas for crop production. So far, crop zoning activities for 76 crops have been completed in 355 upazilas.

Activities related to Fourth Industrial Revolution: Syllabus of first, second and third phase of Diploma Agricultural Education has been formulated incorporating Fourth Industrial Revolution. Also, in line with the 4th industrial revolution, an integrated action plan has been formulated for the development of the agricultural sector.

In the last 15 years, maize production has increased by about 9 times, potatoes by 2 times, pulses by 4 times, oilseeds by 2.5 times and vegetables by 8 times. As a result, the success of Bangladesh's agriculture has been recognized in the world. Bangladesh is among the top 10 countries in the world in the production of 22 agricultural products; For example, 3rd in rice production, 3rd in vegetable and onion production, 2nd in jute production, 4th in tea production and 7th in potato and mango production.

At the same time, the 'Bangabandhu-Pierre Tudo Agricultural Technology Center' was established at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur in collaboration with Canada's Global Institute for Food Security. Again, the agriculture sector has played a leading role in dealing with the impact of Corona. Continuation of agricultural production is essential to face the current global crisis. At the same time, the continuity of the government should be emphasized on the implementation of Sheikh Hasina's government's Vision 2041.

An unprecedented revolution our has been achieved in the country's agriculture in the last 15 years. Last 5 Year ensuring Our food security and Achieved Our food producation target, he is Real Hero of the nations our priminister shak Hassina and agriculture minister md abdur razzak. We Must them honoured.

The writer is a, Advisory Editor- Dainik Vorer Akash and General Secretary, Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum