WITH massive urbanization and industrialization being part of modern society since the the Industrial Revolution in England, the primitive agro-based society of the past slowly turned into an industrial society. But it resulted in deforestation and brought about climate problems. However, the notion of modernization has changed substantially during the last two decades, and the new meaning emphasises on sustainability and eco-friendly comprehensive development. Thus human society prioritises agricultural production and seeks more attention aiming at ensuring food security. In Bangladesh, agriculture alone contributes 16.66 percent of the GDP and employs 45 percent of the labour force. To fight against the feared food crisis that might be caused by climate change, transforming the agriculture sector into an agro-industry is much sought for as the sector can generate employment and cause acceleration of the rural economy.
Despite having huge potentiality of expanding agro-industry in Bangladesh, scarcity of entrepreneurs with innovative ideas has kept this sector undeveloped which has compelled us to import vegetables, spices, fishes and meat from bordering countries to meet the internal demands. It is high time for the entrepreneurs and the government to come up with a detailed plan to boost all types of agro-productions, like cereals, vegetables, indigenous fruits, fish varieties, poultry and live-stock. Besides, agro-based food items like jelly, pickles, candy, crackers, juice, vegetable oil, fish oil, meat stick and etc should be patronised that will easily meet the demands of locals and could be exported.
To bring a green revolution in the country,innovative agricultural apparatus and tools, agro-research,and the training-up of agro-labour are highly important to achieve the goal of food security and becoming a food surplus country. Experts said without involving the private entrepreneurs, and initiating new ventures, the potentiality would not be materialized. The sector needs an extensive arrangement for training our youths in agro-technologies. The knowledge of using pesticides, fertilizers, and water are the basics of the production level; the system of crop cutting, storing and preservation without losing and damaging crops are also imperative. However, agricultural research from seeds to tools and innovation in every level should be highly encouraged. We do not wish to get genetically modified seed to cultivate the lands rather it is better to cultivate the indigenous varieties of cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish as the cultivating GM seeds can harm the fertility of our lands and spell long-term food insecurity,by handing the rights of our food security to large alien conglomerates.
To achieve the goal the government should arrange soft loans for initiating agro-based industry and research. The NGOs can play a vital role as knowledge and technology providers in reviving and rejuvenating the agro-industrial expansion in the country.
