Food security, water resources, forest, agriculture and rural development
to get priority
Focus on five sectors
7th Five Year Plan
In the next Five Year Plan, Bangladesh will invest Tk 543.2 billion on food security, water resources, agriculture, forest and rural development.
This was disclosed at the Bangladesh Seventh Five Year Plan (201620) Consultation on Strategy for Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security organised by General Economic Division (GED) at the NEC conference room in Dhaka yesterday.
Member of GED Prof Dr Shamsul Alam made a presentation on the plans objectives. The meeting was presided over by State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud also participated.
Matia Chowdhury emphasised the importance scientific research, and utilising the experience and knowledge of agriculture scientists for developing the sector.
She also talked about increasing the use of solar energy in agriculture, particularly for irrigation.
On the issue of irrigation, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam said that the government could soon introduce pre-paid electricity meters for farmers.
He also said that river dredging will be emphasised in the next plan and sweet water will be made available at khas lands by digging new ponds.
Dr Shamsul Alam of GED said that the Seventh Five Years Plan (SFYP) will encourage research and adoption of modern agriculture practices for overcoming the perils of drought, submergence and saline-prone agriculture. Also, proper use of genetically modified technology in agriculture will be emphasised.
Under the plan, rice production will be increased to 36.81 million tonnes by 2021 from the existing 35.39 million tonnes, Dr Alam said.
About the livestock sector, Dr Alam said that the government would facilitate more private sector participation and investment in livestock
production, genetic improvement, livestock services, market development and export of livestock products.
The Seventh Plan also looks into the development of rural areas of Bangladesh and identification of priority areas. Some of the other goals of the Seventh Plan are: increasing local production, solving the energy problem, reducing poverty through agriculture, rural development and employment generation.
