UNB, Dhaka :
Despite being one of the most vulnerable sector to climate shocks, Bangladesh agriculture has been playing a leading role in reducing poverty since 2000, said a World Bank report.
It said extensive irrigation, high-yielding varieties, more efficient markets, and mechanisation, all backed by policy reforms and investments in agriculture research, human capital, and infrastructure development have driven the growth in the sector. The report, titled ‘Dynamics of Rural Growth in Bangladesh: Sustaining Poverty Reduction,’ was launched at a workshop at Cidrap International Conference Centre here on Tuesday.
According to the report, Bangladesh’s pro-poor agricultural growth has
stimulated its non-farm economy. It estimates that a 10 percent rise in farm income generates a 6 percent rise in non-farm income. Stating that non-farm activities are not progressing sufficiently, the report said a balanced development strategy should be developed for both farm and non-farm growths. “Today, the largest share of public expenditure on agriculture goes to subsidies.
Almost half of the farmers overuse fertilizers. Excessive amount of chemical fertilizers are creating environmental and health hazards, the WB report observed. Stressing the need for more rapid diversification in agriculture with balanced attention to rice, it said Bangladesh now needs to shift towards high-value agriculture, including horticulture, livestock, and fisheries as well as greater value addition to improve farmers’ income and household nutrition.
Despite being one of the most vulnerable sector to climate shocks, Bangladesh agriculture has been playing a leading role in reducing poverty since 2000, said a World Bank report.
It said extensive irrigation, high-yielding varieties, more efficient markets, and mechanisation, all backed by policy reforms and investments in agriculture research, human capital, and infrastructure development have driven the growth in the sector. The report, titled ‘Dynamics of Rural Growth in Bangladesh: Sustaining Poverty Reduction,’ was launched at a workshop at Cidrap International Conference Centre here on Tuesday.
According to the report, Bangladesh’s pro-poor agricultural growth has
stimulated its non-farm economy. It estimates that a 10 percent rise in farm income generates a 6 percent rise in non-farm income. Stating that non-farm activities are not progressing sufficiently, the report said a balanced development strategy should be developed for both farm and non-farm growths. “Today, the largest share of public expenditure on agriculture goes to subsidies.
Almost half of the farmers overuse fertilizers. Excessive amount of chemical fertilizers are creating environmental and health hazards, the WB report observed. Stressing the need for more rapid diversification in agriculture with balanced attention to rice, it said Bangladesh now needs to shift towards high-value agriculture, including horticulture, livestock, and fisheries as well as greater value addition to improve farmers’ income and household nutrition.
