National Agriculture Policy, 2013

National Agriculture Policy 2013 Ministry of Agriculture Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (.ff��G"I ; r"'�' .r;<;f<.:-,�; �) 15l'tN"f �8�0 o�� �o�l!l <ffz<'!M"t trif�-.;<1 �,r<t 1 � c!l<f'Z � �� 151�� �{) 1 >1'1<t>ICP1<1 � <!1%ffer, � f9!'3T � C"Rf � �fCiBI" � <!1%Wf � � Jj"'Z� '(l � �V;ji" � .iTlfITT" ��<15"@1������1 � f9íi5Rr �':f � c!l� Q'fRBf �ê'[f � � 05"fo'li l � � � � � <m � �� � f<j-� � � � �' � � � � '(l iSíW�IC�HI � ��ffiT��<l>m� 1 ��� ���'S'fõlJ�� <f.[iSí � MUlÍW!-1 1 � � �' e>'\" <PfiSí 00 C"M" � C<!N 9fWAf.t 1 '1<1<11ST<t>ltft1 C<l'R � c!l J\RFr:fffl � � � � � 1 <ro'[ � � � �'(l � W</i <Pfõ'r �� � � � <ikÍW\'11?-l C<f>R � M<t>f.iG'i"l<if <ft � � "lf 1 � �� 91"<1" � � � rTIFs!l:.i l<il rir��� <t>� <i 1<11<11�<1>�1 <ft<l<ft<I � � 1 <ffzõ'\Wf"í '5!"Mri � �?.>?.>'0 � � �� � � 151mf� � � � <f.@� � � � �'f � <11'& � 1 �?.>?.>'0 � �l!i c><t � <ff'Z<'!M"f '5!"Wl1� � � � 9l"<l"m � s:3� c!l<f'Z J'ff'Zf<l°� � � "<!>1ffl �'>f C'TTf 1 'il�C:ii{!lqj �'>f � é11'füfufüc'!) � � � � � � � � � � 1 � f9R51<1' �� � "?!í"?fvfR c!l<f'Z �zf<l"<rrm � � '5!"f'(lri �sr�� '(l � ,'fffl� ql·4órnrq'j -mwrr� ·�� � �l!>l!>l!>' 2f<ffi'T<l5"@1 mR � � "IK\bl<i-lf<I" � �'f<l 91"<1" � �íf<i <11'&<1�1<1 � �?;)?;)?;) � �� � � � Jj"'ZV'IT� � �'f "<f>fü I e!!� .iTlfITT" � � � c-fs:lm � 9)?.<=m: � s:3 � '@-i'j� � i5l�<f>l<IC<f> �� � m 1 � � � � �' �1'<! <15"@ "?!í"'>f<f>�IAo��, � � "'i'lliJ:iil<l!I (e!!�), � � <i'llil:iil<.!il (c!l�), '0"0" .,..� � �IMC� >'\<l<f>IC<l<I � {l � C<lo/fe'r � �g9)Vf 2fcJT;5 ·� � �. �?.>?.>?.>' � {l Jj"'ZV'tf<f-T<l'@��� ·���' �O�l!i' �ff� 1 � 2f� ·���' �O�l!i' � ���� c!l<f'Z �� � <ffzõ'ft � �':f �rm:.:r :.i 1'$:<1</'<1<11 � � m � '5!"tm i5fl'<!T '<f>fü 1 ·���' �O�l!i'-c!l���,'fffl���<Pfõ'í�� C<l.:r-Tf<l°��, . !: .. r.i der�� '$f-� � � � m � '5!"tm � f<rr.tpr <!>fü 1 "3ffN'����O�l!i'c!l����ffll � <ff'Z:ô'rf, � � <ff'Z�t � cm 1 w ~ ~dl'11d1{l '>tct~ <li'Zc'fWf'<i ~ ~~~ ~ ~ 13 ~','ff(;~~ '<IH011i1c<1 f.rv<t ~ ~ 1 ~ <ffl'f m .!]"Cl'fV'Bf ~~ ~ ~ -'rn I ~ ~ ~~:~!T@ ~ i!iTo'[ fi@rrn ~ ~ ,'fffl ~ 'WIT ,;i:t: ~ c!I~ ~~ I ~ 981 ~ ~ i51fo<1~1!l "W'f13 ~~~~~'WIT~ '1<TTrnC<l'f-T ~fo'li~"!T1~mf~C"M~~R~m~~ ;,f~Ffl:ftm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"?ry 15!Wff~ ~Ff~~ <t>C-!l~tfrl"i I ~ ~~ ~~~'WIT~~ C"M ~~ ~rfo'! 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'>IC<l<fctr 13 ~. ~ ~et, ~ '©-~et ~"f, ~ ~. ~ ~ ~~ ~. ~ <r1GJ$l<t>-?1"f, ~ ~. ~ Ff9f9-T, ~ ~~~~,~"®I, ~ ~ ~ ITTrn ~ fq-.,, ~ I c.!i :'i1F-!)~1o1rn ~~ c!i~~ "C5i ~ ~ ~ ~9f ~ c!i~ ~ ~ ~'( ~ ~lc!I~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~I / ~~ / ~ / / ~ / ~ '~-..sm ~ >1-?1<t>tc-?1-?1 <t>l<1<t>1co1 ~111i1{.'1 ~ ~ 13 ~1.,1~ 9f<flCTr 1<1{.-1<1"""{."'~ mm ""111!)1~ ., ., .... ~. ~o~~· -2!""!WT 13 ~ ~ cm-~~ 13 ~ 1 -2!"~ ~ ~ <Tffi~ ~ c!I~~ ~ ;ire~'@-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .!]~~ c!I~ ~ ~ ~ ~ % ifilR rr~~ ~ ~ m ~ ~ ~ f<r<JP'f 1 ~ ~ ,n;:q ~~~'z ~ c!i <!Tf'>fT@ ""a"1''.?;!;.,.< .!]~~~ .!]~~ ~~~77:,"~'7~:f?.Gf I ~~-~ (~~) Contents 1 Sl. No. , Subject Page No. 1 Introduction 1 2 Objectives of the National Agriculture Policy 4 "' Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats 5 , of Agriculture Sector 4 Research and Development 8 5 Agricultura! Extension 11 6 Seeds and Planting Materiais 15 7 Fertilizer 17 8 Minor lrrigation 18 9 Agricultura! Mechanization 20 10 Agricultura! Cooperatives 21 11 Agricultura! Marketing 22 12 Women in Agriculture 24 13 Natural Resource Management 25 14 Human Resource Development 26 15 Labor in Agriculture 29 16 Non-farm Activities 29 17 Dominance of Bangla Language 29 18 Conclusion 30 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Agriculture is the main activity and lifeline of Bangladesh economy. The role of agriculture is irnportant in improving the wellbeing of the vast population through enhancing productivity, profitability and employment generation in the rural areas. Agriculture sector ( crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry) makes an important contribution to GDP of the country. provides employment of about 50% of the labor force, and remains a major supplier of raw materiais for agro-based industries. Agriculture is a special field of social activities that are directly involved in food and nutritional security, income generating opportunities and poverty reduction. Besides, it is the largest source of market for a variety of consumer goods. particularly in the rural areas. Hence, improvement of agriculture sector and acceleration of its growth is essential to r<:duce the rural poverty. 1.2 Agriculture sector encompasses crops, fisheries, livestock, and forestry sub-sectors. Separate policies on fisheries and livestock, food, forestry and environment, !anel and jute and textile have been formulated by the respective Ministries e.g. Environmcn1 Policy 1992. National Forest Policy 1994, National Fisheries Policy 1 ()98, National Land Use Policy 2001, National .lute Policy 2002, Livestock Policy and Action Plan 2005, National Livestock Development Policy 2007, National Food Policy 2008, and National Poultry Development Policy 2008. ln this perspectiv,e, Ministry of Agriculture has drafted this policy document in order to undertake and guide proper development activities in the crops sub-sector. Issues of research, extension, seeds, fertilizers, minor irrigation, marketing, and Human Resources Development (HRD) related to crop production have been prominently highlighted, as expected, in this policy document. Since crop sector plays a major role in Agriculture of Bangladesh and gets the utmost importance in various agriculture related programs of the government, the policy is titled as "National Agriculture Policy", following the previous policy. 1.3 ln Bangladesh, agricultura! land is declining approximately l % per year and the land quality is deteriorating due to degradation of soil fertility (e.g. nutrient imbalance), soil erosion and increased soil salinity. Water resources are also declining. ln order to produce more food for an . ..J.griculture Policy-2013 increasing population and raw materials for agro-industries from a decreasing land, there is a need for increasing agricultural production thro;.igh higher productivity, agricultural intensification. di\·ersification and value addition. 1.4 The ultimate goal of the Government of Bangladesh ( GoB) is to achieve a 50% reduction of the proportion of population liYing below the poverty line by 2015 compared to 1990 in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Besides. to maintain a sound macro-economic framework, the Sixth Five Year Plan ( 2011-15) and the "Perspective Plan (2010-2021 r· highlight the nc>c>d for higher and quick economic development, higher gro\\th in the rural areas. development of agriculture and rural non-farm acti\ities concurrently. 1.5 '' • In orderto 1achieve a higher GDP growth. agriculture> sect()r should have similarly higher growth rate. This is possible through the increased productivity of agriculture by using modern teclrnL,!ogy in all the sub sec~ors ( crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheri-.:s ~mj forestry) and by linking farmers with the supply chains of comumc>r'- in the domestic and nverseas markets. As a result poverty \\ill be reduced and life status will be improved. 1.6 Small farms dominate the agranan structure L)f Bangladesh. The agriculture sector has a great influence on the economic progress and livelihoods of the people. For rural poverty reduction and livelihood improvement, it is therefore necessary to develop existing agricultural production system into a more dynamic and sustainable commercial agriculture. Agric"l;llture has the vast potentiality to reduce food deficit and shortage of industrial raw materials. and also to generate huge employment opportunities with reasonable income that can improve the rural living standard. 1. 7 Sustainable intensification and diversification of agriculture through technological innovation needs efficient and productive agricultural management along with agricultural research and exten.sion. Proper value addition and market management are needed in this regard. For sustainable knowledge-based agriculture. productivity. efficiency in resource use, use of cutting edged technology, increase in research and experiment facility along with skilled man-power supply are utmost 2 Agriculture Policy-2013 importar1t. Jncreasing scientific and technological assistance are needed for Agriculture in Bangladesh. It is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of public expenditure in agricultural research and extension management during the present multi-dimensional national and economic environment. 1.8 Major challenges for Bangladesh agriculture are to raise productivity and profitability, reducing instability, increasing resource-use efficiency, producing highly nutritious food and agricultural products, improving quality for diversification and commercialization of agriculture. 1. 9 The previous National Agricultural Policy was adopted in April 1999. With the passage of time some issues and concerns have emerged in agriculture with new dimensions. In the perspective of dwindling agricultural resources, declining biodiversity, climate change, increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, increasing input prices, hike of food prices, etc, agriculture needs such renovation that would address challenges to meet the demands. So updating of agricultural policy is necessary to make it appropriate to the present agro-economic context. Agriculture Policy-2013 3 2.0 Objectives of the National Agriculture Policy The main objective of the National Agriculture Policy is to ensurc food and nutrition security for all and improvement of rural livelihoods through increased crop production with higher productivity and creating employment opportunities through diversification of agricultura! activities. 2.1 Specific Objectives The specific objectives of the National Agriculture Policy are: • Ensure sustainable and profitable agricultura! production system; • Develop and disseminate improved crop varieties and sustainable production technologies through research and training: • lncrease productivity and generate income and employment by transferring appropriate technologies and improving inputs management; • Promote and continue competitiveness of agriculture through its commercialization; • Promote effective initiatives to establish a self-rdiant and sustainable agriculture that is adaptable to climate change and responsive to farmers' need; • Ensure fair price of agricultura! commodities along with improved marketing; • Encourage quality production of agricultura! products to meet the demands of international markets and increase the export opportunity; • Create opportunity for agricultural product processing and establish agro-based industries; and • Diversify agriculture to meet the nutritional demand of people and encourage production of more nutritious crops. 4 Agriculture Policy-2013 3.0 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) in Agriculture Sector For developing a pragrnatic, and fruitful National Agriculture Policy, it is pre­ requisite to analyze and consider the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in and potential threats to the irnplementation of such a policy. 3.1 Strcngths • Favorable agro-climate generally prevails throughout the year for crop production; • Research and extension systems exist for technology generation and technology transfer/extension at farm levei; • Experts, scientists and trained manpower are availahle for agricultural research and development; • Appropriate tcchnologies are there for production of major crops; • Agricultura! input supply net,vork thoroughly covers the country; • Fanners are innovative and responsive and adaptive to ne,v technologies; • Sufficient workforce for agricultura! activities is available; • Considerable biodiversity exists for different crops; • Irrigation is available; • A facilitative institutional and regulatory framework is in place; • Govemrnent financial assistance/incentive system prevails; • Country-wide land management rnonitoring network exists and, considerably detailed upazila-wise land and soil resources infortnation and guidelines prevails; • Farmers' ancient knowledge and experience exists; and • Agriculture subsidy card and farmer's bank account are available. 3.2 Weaknesses • Agricultura! marketing management system is comparatively weak; • Post-harvest loss of crop is higher; • Farmers' own capital for agricultura! activities is not eriough; Agriculture Policy-2013 c1r' ... 5 • Institutional agricultural credit is limited; • Farmers' organizations (club, group) are not well organized; • Input (water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) use efficiency is low; • Technologies for quality production for export market is inadequate; • Insufficient technologies to cope with unfavorable environment; • Private sector investment in research and development is insignificant; • Insufficient trained scientists and infrastructural facilities for advanced agricultural science; • Lack of diversification in agriculture; • Weak management in quality control of agricultural inputs: • Lack of coordination among the public and private universities and research organizations; • Insufficient use of ICT in agriculture sector; • Inadequate training for farmers and entrepreneurs: • Inadequate production and supply of quality agricultural inputs (e.g. seed, fertilizer and irrigation); • Insufficient storage and processing facilities for agricultural commodities; and • Inadequate transport facilities for agricultural commodities. 3.3 Opportunities 6 • Transferable modem technology and technical know-how are available; ~. • Scope for expanding hybrid technology is exists: • Prospect for adoption of advanced technology in agriculture; • Potentials for proper utilization of agro-ecologically disadvantaged regions including hilly areas exists; • Export potentials for high-value crop in foreign and expatriate Bangladeshi dominated markets outside the country: • Scope of crop diversification and intensification: Agriculture Policy-2013 • Scope for value addition to agricultura! produces; • Opportunity for market expansion for value added products; • Scope of employment opportunity and raising income in agriculture; • Scope for reducing yield gaps; and • Opportunity for personal entrepreneurship and institutionalization of commercial agriculture. 3.4 Threats • Environmental vulnerability ( climate change, flood, drought, storm, salinity, diseases, pest infestation and river erosion) prevails; • Degradation of soil health; • Decrease of cultivable land and water resources; • Increasing use of farmland for non-farm activities; • Uncertainty of fair prices of agricultura! product is causing disincentive to farmers; • Decline of agricultura! biodiversity; • Excessive and non-regulated use of pesticides; • Agricultura! environment degradation; and • Inadequate budget allocation in agriculture, especially for research. Agriculture Policy-2013 7 4.0 Research and Development Development of technologies through agricultura! research and its dissemination plays an important role in economic development. So. a well­ organized research plan is essential for rapid agricultura! development. Paradigm shift from a supply-driven to a demand-driven agriculture through research is possible. This will require a change of focus from a production levei to production efficiency and productivity. It also needs equity, employment, environmental sustainability, nutrition, food quality and trade as new areas of concem to maintain food security. This demands effective introspection, reprioritization and consolidation of R & D activities besides overall accountability. The key strategies to address multifaceted challenges are as follows: 4.1 Governance of Research Institutions • Constant measures to strengthen coordination. planning. priority-setting, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms i: t the National Agricultura! Research System (NARS) will be taken fr r the improvement of research; • Incentives and built-in rewards will be provided to individual researchers or research institutions for innovation, and excellence in agricultura! research; • Adequate research contingency support will be provided to scientists and project-based activities will be institutionalized; • Appropriate infrastructure will be built and existing infrastructure will be upgraded for research, training and outreach programs: and • Research system' will be developed through National Agricultura! Research System which will ensure the highest social benefits per unit of research inputs and value addition. 4.2 Research Planning and Funding 8 • Emphasis will be provided on the practicing of bottom-up approach in research program planning and prioritization; • Public-private participatory approach for conducting research activities will be encouraged; and • Adequate and timely funding for research programs will be ensured. Agriculture Policy-2013 4.3 Research Focus Areas • Research programs focused on intensification, diversification and integrated farm activities in agriculture; • Innovation and development of high yielding, stress-tolerant, short cycle and low-input varieties and their cultivation technologies; • Post-harvest technologies, high value crops, value addition, agri-business management and trade; • Research support on emerging issues, like biotechnology, plant genetic research, hybrid, climate change, disaster and stress including flood, waterlogging, drought, cyclone and salinity; • Upland/hill and deep water crop management, sustainable land and water management and organic farming; • Research on Rain-fed crops to increase productivity and sustainability; • Research activities to solve the problem in farm management; • Research on the weather forecast in the context of climate change and crop production; • Promotion of farm mechanization, and innovative research & development of appropriate farm machinery; • Innovation and development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and bio-pesticides; • Research programs should be taken on trans-boundary movement of infectious diseases, cross-cutting issues having application across. Besides research on one or more production systems and the sustainability of the production systems, poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement, household food security, off-farm incarne generation, and rural development; • Research on agricultura! policy and technology dissemination systems of unique nature; and • Development and promotion of eco-friendly technology and sustainable land and water management for different agro-ecological zones. Agriculture Policy-2013 9 4.4 Technology Transfer • All research institutes will highlight technology assessment, refinement and transfer by improving interface with farmers and other stakeholders; and • Agricultura! research institutes will take initiative to enhance involvement of scientists in outreach extension programs. 4.5 Equity in Service Delivery • The National Agricultura! Research System (NARS) will make efforts to bring the system in proximity with the target people or beneficiary through decentralization of agricultura! research management; and • The government will take initiative to remove regional disparity in the development of institutional infrastructure and r.uman resources. 4.6 Informatics • Agricultura! Research Institutes will develop a cumprehensive database to facilitate planning of agricultura! research and development. A functional electronic network of Agricultura! Research Information System will be developed for all the stakeholders under the NARS and other national, regional and international centers of excellence. 4. 7 Development of Participatory Cooperation • NARS institutes will create opportunities for promotion of research through increased.public and private sector collaboration; • NARS will complement research efforts among institutions and agencies at national and international level; and • The government will take steps for strengthening research and extension linkage. 4.8 Intellectual Property Rights 10 • Support will be provided to establish Intellectual P10perty Rights (IPR) for new innovation in agriculture. Agriculture Policy-20 f 3 5.0 Agricultura) Extension Agricultura! extension is one of the key driving forces for growth and development of agriculture in Bangladesh. To increase fann productivity and farmer's incarne, access to new technology is to be ensured. The government recognizes agricultura! extension as a service delivery system which will assist farmers by giving appropriate technical and farm management advice and information, new technology, improve farming methods and techniques aimed at increasing production efficiency and incarne. To ensure sustainable production system there is an increasing need for strengthening agricultura! extension services and appropriate institutional arrangement desires to be established. An institutional management system will be developed between research and extension so that research and extension can interact effectively with each other as well as with farmers to address the criticai needs of the production practices at the farm levei. The following provisions are adopted to make extension services more efficient and effective. 5.1 Extension Coverage • The govemment will support public, private and voluntary extension initiatives to achieve diverse agricultura! goals and to address needs of target population; • Extension services will be provided to all categories of farmers viz. landless, marginal, small, medium and large, with special emphasis on women and youths; and • The government will decentralize extension activities at the grass-root level to deliver efficient and coordinated services. 5.2 Extension Method/Approach • Farmers, either as individuais or as groups. will be encouraged to express their needs and problems to extension staff. Local extension staff will act as primary source of information and response to service network to meet the requirements; • The govemment \vill make a shift from the top-down, hierarchical approach to bottom-up participatory approach in which farmers, researchers and extension workers can work together as peers; • The government will recognize and adopt approaches that emerge locally through grü\ving understanding of the nature of technological change, learning and adaptation to prevailing situations; Agriculture Policy-2013 11 • Collaboration will be initiated among research and extension organizations and universities in the field of adaptive research; and • The govemment will encourage promotion of location specific crops and cropping patterns suitable to agro-climatic conditions of a particular region based on crop-zoning. 5.3 Communication Media • Traditional and advanced media and ICT will be utilized for extension activities; • Agricultura! Information Service (AIS) will be strengthened both in terms of workforce and modem facilities to enable effective information dissemination and technology transfer; • Dissemination of agricultura! information and technology through print and electronic media will be enhanced with focus on enhanced collaboration among AIS, BTV, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV and radio channels; and • Use of community radio, web radio, and mobile communication technology will be encouraged for extension of agricultural information and technology. 5.4 Partnership • Extension activities that foster GO-NGO-Private sector partnership will be facilitated; • Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for production of agricultura! commodities will be encouraged; • Strategies will be undertaken to deliver extension services in collaboration with local govemment at union and upazila leveis: and • The government through the Department of Agricultura! Extension (DAE) and allied agencies will maintain liaison with the NGOs and other development partners at local levei for cooperation and coordination. 5.5 Agricultural Productivity 12 • The govemment will continue and strengthen support for major crops production related to food security and livelihood improvement. ln addition, measures will be taken to promote high value crops for enhancement of farmers' income and boost of agricultura! expmi; Agriculture Policy-2013 • Measures will be taken to increase cropping intensity, and to bring fallow land under cultivation; • Diversification of crop will be pursued to augment food and nutrition security; • The government will monitor supply, availability and distribution of inputs (seed, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, etc.) to farmers through extension (DAE) and other inputs service providers and will also ensure effective monitoring for maintaining the quality of inputs supplied by both public and private organizations; • Efforts will be made to provide credit support at preferential rate for selective crops; • Adequate financial support in the form of credit will be extended for farmers to encourage increased production. Small, marginal, medium and sharecroppers will be given preference to agricultura! credit; and • Institutional framework will be developed to ensure easy access to credit. 5.6 Quality Assurance • The government will promote Good Agricultura! Practices (GAP) in crop production for local and export market and in supply chain management; • Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures will be ensured during production, processing and marketing; and • Quarantine services will be strengthened to meet the needs of both domestic and exp011 market. 5. 7 Program for Adverse Agro-climatic Regions • The government will pursue program for hilly area, barind tract, char land, drought prone area, haor-baor and coastal belt with appropriate technological support. 5.8 Addressing Vulnerabilities • The government will combine instant assistance, and short, mid and long term development programs for the affected farmers during and after crises to enhance productivity and create employment involving the private sectors, NGOs, philanthropic organizations and private individuals; Agriculture Policy-2013 13 • The government will undertake agricultural rehabilitation programs immediately after the occurrence of natural calamities to compensate crop damage; • Measures will be taken to protect crops in the coastal, haor, beel and char areas keeping harmony with other sub-sectors' production; • Introduction of crop insurance program will be considered; and • "Agricultura} Disaster Response Fund" will be created to start post disaster rehabilitation program immediately after a disaster. 5.9 Environment and Resource Conservation • The government will promote development of modem eco-friendly technology and infrastructure for a safe and sustainable future; • Integrated Pest Management (1PM) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) will be promoted for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable land and water management; and • Measures will be taken to restrict the use of agricultura! land for non agricultural purposes. 5.10 Database 14 • Agriculture related agencies will develop and maintain a comprehensive database by integrating existing resource base, inputs, technology, production and marketing aspects for agricultural development and planning; • The government will prepare a comprehensive user friendly database on farming and agrjcultural technologies; and • Efforts will be taken to disseminate information and to facilitate access of the stakeholders to database. Agriculture Policy-2013 6.0 Seeds and Planting Materiais Quality seed is one of the main and basic agricultura! inputs for increased crop production and food security. Quality seed alone can increase yield upto 15-20%. At present, significant portion of the quality seeds required for different crops are made available by the public sector. Few seed companies and NGOs have started supplying quality seed of 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 farmer's levei. 6.1 Breeding, Development and Maintenance of Crop Varieties • National agencies/ individuais will be encouraged to undertake plant breeding programs, besides, import of breeder/foundation seeds of notified crops by individual/company for variety development and promotional purposes will also be encouraged; • Individuais, companies or agencies engaged in the seed sector will be provided opportunities for getting institutional credit; • lmpartial development of the seed sector will be provided by promoting opportunities to the public and private sector seed industry from breeding to marketing; and • Any individual or company may be involved in seed development, registration, and marketing related activities subject to prior approval from the government. 6.2 Multiplication and Distribution of Seed • Supply of breeder and foundation seed will be facilitated for easy access to public and private agencies. and farmers; • The government will maintain seed security stock to cope with the emergent or dependent situations; and • Government and private sector will be encouraged to build necessary facilities for seed production, processing, preservation, quality control and marketing. Agriculture Policy-2013 15 6.3 Supports to Public and Private Sector Seed Industries • The competency of the contract farmers will be developed in the public and the private sector to produce quality seed; and • Both the public and private sector will initiate programs to create awareness among the farmers for adoption of new varieties and new technologies ofthe farmer'sfield. 6.4 Strengthening Activitics for Quality Control of Seed 16 • Seed certification and enforcement of seed regulations will be strengthened for increasing availability of quality seeds; and • Quality assurnnce of seed will be enforced at ali stages of seed system from production to marketing including seed impott and export. Agriculture Policy-2013 7.0 Fertilizer Fertilizer is one of the essential inputs 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 fetiilizers is causing land degradation and excessive mining of plant nutrients resulting in the decline of soil fertility on one hand and reduction in the potential yield on the other. It is, therefore, imp01iant to adopt effective measure to encourage farmers using balanced fertilizers to maintain soil fertility. To strengthen fertilizer management, the government will pursue the following principles. 7.1 Procurement and Distribution • Procurement and distribution of fertilizers will continue both in the private and the public sector; and • Steps will be taken to maintain a fertilizer buffer stock at the regional, district and upazila levels. 7.2 Quality Control • The government will make sure availability of quality fertilizers at farmers level; • Production, import, marketing, distribution and use of any kind of fertilizer that are harmful or detrimental to plant, soil, flora and fauna will be banned; and • The government will strengthen the analytical facilities to assess the quality of fertilizers. 7.3 Promotion of Organic Fertilizer and Balanced Fertilizer Use • The government will encourage the use of organic manure, compost and bio-fertilizer at farmers level; • Awareness will be built to follow suitable cropping patterns for maintaining natural balance of soil nutrients; • Necessary support will be provided to farmers to encourage use of balanced, cheap and organic fertilizers; and • Program on the production and use of Urea Super Granule (USG) will be intensified. 7.4 Fertilizer Monitoring • The government will monitor supply, storage, pnce and quality of fertilizers at different levels. Agriculture Policy-2013 17 8.0 Minor lrrigation Irrigation is considered as one of the most essential inputs for increasing crop production. A significant portion of the country is not getting irrigation during dry seasons due to climate change and lifting ground water in an unplanned way. Moreover, river linking project of the upper riparian country is likely to aggravate the situation. Therefore, a well-planned irrigation managernent systern is essential for gradual increase of cropping intensity as well as yield. The governrnent has laid special emphasis on the increased use of surface water and reduced use of groundwater in irrigation for protection of the ecological balance and reduction of irrigation expenses. As such, National Agriculture Policy has given special emphasis on the judicious use of water resources. The government will prepare "Integrated Minor Irrigation Policy" by stating elaborate information 011 the increased use of surface water in irrigation a11d the reductio11 of dependence 011 the grou11dwater. Although mi11or irrigatio11 is largely the domai11 of the private sector, the public sector holds the responsibility of efficient water ma11ageme11t system by which expansio11 of low cost sustai11able irrigatio11 facilities can be provided. The following steps will be taken for effective rni11or irrigatio11 ma11agerne11t. 8.1 Irrigation Efficiency and Water Productivity 18 • Irrigation efficiency will be ascertai11ed and modem \Vater management technology will be promoted to e11hance irrigation efficacy and ·.vater productivity through optirnal use of available water resources; • Modem irrigation, drai11age and water application systems will be i11troduced for expa11ding 1rngation coverage in difficult and disadvantaged areas including char, hills, barind tract, drought-prone and saline areas; • Distance arnong Tube well will be chosen in such a way so that it will e11sure of safe extraction of groundwater, salinity protection a11d increase of irrigation efficiency; and • The use of surface water for irrigation will be emphasized and therefore, appropriate measures will be take11 for expansion and use of appropriate technology. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater would be emphasized. Agriculture Policy-2013 8.2 Planning and Monitoring • The existing survey and monitoring activities of both quantity and quality of irrigation will be strengthened to formulate pragmatic irrigation and water management plan; • Associated agencies will prepare plan and update groundwater zoníng map for effective use of groundwater resources. The consequence of the changeable groundwater table on minor irrigation will be monitored; and • The monitoring data of groundwater tluctuation, sea water levei and saline water intrusion will be updated and forecasted after analysis regularly. 8.3 Conservation and Utilization • The government will promote re-excavation of canais, ponds and other water bodies for conservation and utilization of surface water through inter-agency collaboration; • For efficient use of water the government will encourage the replacement of suction mode pump by forced mode pump in criticai areas; • Versatile use of irrigation water will be encouraged; • The government will encourage groundwater recharge through water­ shed management; and • The government will take initiatives to reclaim water logged agricultura! lands. 8.4 Power for Irrigation • Preferential access will be given to power-source for irrigation through intimate inter-agency collaboration: • Efforts will be made for a balance between irrigation cost of electricity and diesel; and • The use of solar energy along with other renewable energy will be encouraged. Agriculture Policy-2013 19 9.0 Agricultural Mechanization 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 will not be possible to maintain multiple cropping pattems, which is associated with quick land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, processing, etc. The use of agricultura! machinery primarily in tilling, seeding, weeding and threshing has been increased remarkably. This trend has to be extended further so that efficiency in production can be achieved with higher production by reduced cost. Mechanization should include post harvest activities including processing and preservation. 9.1 Manufacturing of Agricultural Machinery anel Equipment • The govemment will encourage production and manufacturing of agricultura! machineries suitable in socio-economic, environment and climate change context; and • Appropriate support will be provided to manufacturing factory and industries engaged in agricultura! mechanization. 9.2 Support anel Incentives 20 • Exemption of import duties and the ex1st111g facilities for testing and standardization of agricultura! machineries \\·ili be continued to keep the price within the reach of the farmers: • Efforts will take to rationalize import duties on raw materials of agricultura! machinery to encourage local manufacturers and to keep the rrice of local machineries competiti\e with the imported ones; • To speed up the process of agricultura! mechanization both producers and users of agri-machineries will be proYided with necessary support including credit; • The govemment will promote mechanization by giving cash incentives for selective machinery at producer, manufacturer and fanner levels; • Agriculture subsidy, input support and agriculture credit will be provided through farmer's bank account; and • Farmers' group based cultivation and marketing will be encouraged. Agriculture Policy-2013 1 O.O Agricultural Coopera tives In the context of declining arable land and the socio-economic condition of farmers, agricultura] production and marketing on cooperative basis will draw economic benefit to the farmers. 10.1 Cooperative based Agricultura! Production • Self-motivated cooperatives of group based agricultura! production will be encouraged and supported with the aim of securing crop production by marginal, small and medium sized agricultura] producers and entrepreneurs; • The government will support agricultura! production activities based on co-operatives with individual land ownership remaining intact; • Collection of agricultura] inputs like seed, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel and farm machineries on cooperative basis will be encouraged and supported; and • Self-motivated group cultivation on cooperative basis will be encouraged keeping individual land ownership. 10.2 Cooperative based Marketing • The government will encourage and support marketing through cooperatives or group marketing by marginal, small and medium sized agricultura! producers and entrepreneurs to ensure fair price; • Introduction of cooperative based modem marketing system: and • Access of cooperative based agricultura! products to high-value pnce market will be supported. Agriculture Policy-2013 21 11.0 Agricultura) Marketing The agricultural marketing system provides the linkage between farm products and the consumers of food and agricultural products. A strong market infrastructure needs to be built for bringing efficiency in marketing services of agricultura} products. The govemment will help fmmers in enhancing their bargaining power and enabling them to get fair prices for their products through the development of an efficient agricultura} marketing system. 11.1 Market Infrastructure Development • The government will facilitate smooth flow of agricultural products from the production level to the consumer level by setting up village markets and improving distribution at wholesale markets; • Efforts will be made to develop effective value chain between producers and consumers; • Both the public and private sector initiatives in market improvement of agricultura! products will be encouraged; • The agri-marketing institutions will be strengthened and reformed; • The government will encourage private sector investment in establishing warehouses and cold storage facilities for agricultura! products along wii.h the public initiative; and • Investment of public-p1ivate partnership will be encouraged for necessary establishment of laboratories and testing centers for quality assessment and standardization of agricultura! products. 11.2 Market lnformation and Extension Services 22 • The government will encourage collection and dissemination of market information of agricultura! produces and inputs to farmers, trnders, entrepreneurs and consumers; • The government will promote the services required by farmers and entrepreneurs for value addition of agricultura! produces; • Both the public and the private initiatives on agro-market research for fair price and quality product will be encouraged; • The government will promote food safety issues during production and post-production activities; and • Packaging, grading and labelling of agriculturai products activities will be encouraged. Agriculture Policy-2013 11.3 Agro-processing • The govemment will encourage agro-based industries; • Efforts will be given for value chain of agricultural products; and • The govemrnent will take special initiative for incentives of agro-based industries. 11.4 Export and Market Promotion • The govemment will encourage export of agro-products to both the ethnic and the upstream markets; • The government will take steps to diversify agricultura] products and to explore new and potential markets abroad; • Initiatives will be taken for expansion of local and international market of eco-friendly /organic agriculture products; and • Establishment of e-infrastructure will be encouraged in data collection and distribution for export promotion and related networking. 11.5 Market Regulation and Facilitation • Market rules and regulation will be strengthened and updated in order to increase efficiency of market operation; • The govemment will encourage partnership and coordination between public and private sector for efficient market operations; and • The government will establish · Agriculture Price Commission' to provide guidelines to strengthen agricultural marketii1g to ensure fair price for farmers and affordable price for consumers in order to firmly sustain a food self-reliant nation and food secured state. 11.6 Agri-business Prospects in Private Sector • Agri-business initiatives by farmers and entrepreneurs will be facilitated and necessary supports and incentives will be provided as and when deemed necessary; and • Amicable environment will be created for national and international market opportunities in agri-business activities. Agriculture Policy-2013 23 12.0 Women in Agriculture About half of the population of the country are women. For this, more female officials and farmers should enter the agricultura! sector. Women have potentials to contribute to agricultura! growth, it is obligatory for the government to ensure meaningful participation and to develop their human resources in following agriculture-related income-generating activities. 12.1 Empowcrment of Womcn • Necessary support will be provided for capacity building of women in promoting household food and nutrition security; • Women' s participation will be encouraged in decision making process of agricultura! management; and. • Efforts will be made to ensure women's equal access to agricultura! inputs and management. 12.2 Participation in Production and Marketing • The government will encourage participation of the rural poor women in agricultura! production and particularly in agro-processing and agri­ business activities so that they can improve their economic safety. • Women's participation in agricultura! production system will be facilitated through access to agricultura! technologies; • Women's participation in agricultura! production system will be facilitated through establishment of their rights in availing of agricultura! technology; and • The government will take steps to encourage women's participation in various extension programs like training. farrner·s rally and workshop. 12.3 Incomc Gcncration • The governrnent will provide credit support to wornen in activities like hornestead gardening, post harvest acti\'ities. seed production and preservation, nursery, bee-keeping, food processing, etc.; • The government will provide micro-credit support to wornen for srnall­ scale agro-processing, storage and preservation: and • Efforts will be rnade to elirninate gender discrimination in wages. 24 Agriculture Policy-2013 13.0 N aturai Resource Management The government will take following measures for conservation and management of natural resources and agricultura! land upon which crop production is dependent: • The government will take steps to control the declining trend of agricultura! land. To ensure food security, efforts will be taken to stop the use of agricultura! land for non-agricultural purposes; • The government will take measures to increase agricultura! land through recovery of submerged agricultural land and sea shore land; • Action will be taken to conserve soil, water, and life system of plant, animal and atmosphere and their effective use; and • The government will strengthen the collection, conservation and utilization of genetic resources. Agriculture Policy-2013 25 14.0 Human Resources Development As a predominantly agricultura! country, Bangladesh needs to have a vast pool of skilled, educated and trained agricultural workforce to cover the gap between the production capacities of farmers and consumption requirements of the citizens, and to ensure their food security. Appropriate human resource and career planning are necessary for effective Human Resource Development (HRD). This can be achieved through developing appropriate training and education packages along with in-service training and performance based reward system. Major challenge is to develop an efficient workforce capable enough to cope with the emerging issues of technology, institutional capacity, and to acquire skills of development entrepreneurship. The government will plan to introduce innovative approaches to upgrade the skills of researchers, extension providers/personnel and farmers; and technological empowerment of women engaged in agriculture. 14.1 Training Coverage • Personnel associated with research and development in agriculture will be brought under the umbrella of training; and • Na:ional Agricultura! Training Academy (NA TA) and other agricultura! education and research institutes will offer training courses regularly for officials engaged in agriculture. 14.2 Training in Research Field 26 • Need based skill development training for the present human resources in reseGl,rch will be arranged so that they will be nationally and globally competi tive; • Higher training opportunities will be created in the field of up-to-date science and technology, and agricultura! research management; • Due emphasis will be given in research and human resource development planning; and • Continuai training framework will be designed and implemented to enhance scientific, technical and managerial ability of individuais and capacity building of organizations involved in agricultura! research and technology transfer. Agriculture Policy-2013 14.3 Agriculture Education and Training • Agricultura! education system, specifically diploma courses will be strengthened; and • Regular training will be conducted to ensure effective development and technology transfers, innovation and development planning. Farmers and officials at all leveis will be trained as a strategy for upholding professionalism and morality and maintaining the professional skill. 14.4 Training on Seed • Government and non-government entrepreneurs and farmers will be trained 011 seed production, storage, quality control and seed marketing management. 14.5 Training on Fertilizers • Appropriate training on the use of balanced fertilizers will be provided to farmers; and • Officers, researchers, fertilizer dealers, suppliers and entrepreneurs will be trai11ed to improve fertilizer management capacity. 14.6 Training on Irrigation Technology • The government \\ill encourage a11d trai11 11011-governmental entrepreneurs and unemployed youths on the use, repairing and maintena11ce of irrigatio11 machinery; and • Training facilities for farmers and technical personnel 011 on-farm water management technology will be enhanced so as to reduce knowledge gap and yield gap. 14. 7 Training on Farm l\1echanization • Farm mechanization beneficiaries like driver, farmer, youths and manufacturer will be trained in repairing and maintenance of agricultura! machinery. Agriculture Policy-2013 27 � 14.8 Facilities and Progr amme Development • Developing human reso urces in agriculture will b e initiated through short, medium and long-ter m training; • The government will faci litate and strengthen differ ent training related scope based on demand-dr iven research and extensio n; and • Training facilities will be strengthened in such a wa y so that it becomes competitive at national and globally. 14.9 Incentives • Awards will be institution alized to recognize and pr omote cxcellence in teaching, training, research , extension, crop productio n and agricultural development activities ; and • Provision for visiting sc ientists, sabbaticals , and n ational fellows will be introduced to promote excellencc in agricultural science, extension and research management. 14.1 O Partnership 28 • The government will en courage strategic partnersh ip with agriculture­ centered HRD institutions of both developed and de veloping countries to enrich knowledge base and to harness technolog y in the agricultural sector; and • Efforts will be made to e nrich the mutual sharing o f ideas by harnessing complementarities and synergies through stron g linkages among institutions at national and international level. Agriculture Policy-2013 ~ 15.0 Labor in Agriculture • Welfare of farm laborers will be incorporated 111 the development activities; and • Child labor will be discouraged in risky farm activities ( e.g. insecticide spraying, operating heavy, sharp and rotating farm machinery). 16.0 Non-farm Activities • Efforts will be given on poverty reduction of poor and disadvantaged farn1er tl1rougl1 increasing employment opportunities i11 no11-farm enterprises; and • Necessary support will be provided to poor and disadvantaged farmers for earnings from non-farm activities. 17.0 Dominance of Bangla Language A reliable English version of the policy may be published by the government through gazette notification after putting the policy into effect. The Bengali version will prevail if any confusion arises between the English and Bengali vers1011. Agriculture Policy-2013 29 18.0 Conclusion The provisions as detailed above have been drawn on the basis of practical knowledge of researchers, practitioners and experts. The proper implementation of the National Agriculture Policy will expedite the crop production system. As a result, overall agriculture will be transformed into a dynamic sector which will bring optimistic change in the economy of the county with a passage of time. It is expected that farmers, researchers, scientists, extension providers/personnel, agri-business communities, civil servants and politicians will make their respective contributions to the implementation of the present National Agriculture Policy and through this process the goals of 6 th Five Year Plan, PRSP, MDGs, (Millennium Development Goals) and Perspective Plan will be achieved. 30 Agriculture Policy-2013 B.G.P-5010Com(D)2016/17-500 Book, 2017.