Abstract

The National Agricultural Policy (NAP) of Bangladesh, formulated in 2018, is a

pivotal document that outlines the strategic framework for the development of
the country's agriculture sector. This assignment aims to provide an in-depth
analysis of the key components, objectives, challenges, and opportunities
presented in the NAP 2018.

Introduction

The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in Bangladesh, contributing

significantly to its GDP and providing employment for a substantial portion of
the population. The NAP 2018 is a comprehensive policy framework designed
to address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and propel it towards
sustainability, modernization, and profitability.

Background

Understanding the economic landscape of Bangladesh is essential to appreciate

the significance of the NAP. With approximately 84 percent of the population
residing in rural areas and engaging in various agricultural activities, the sector
contributes around 32 percent to the country's GDP. The NAP acknowledges the
importance of crop production and aims to modernize and diversify the crop
sector, making agriculture a more dynamic and commercially viable industry.

Objectives of the National Agricultural Policy

The overarching objective of the NAP is to achieve self-sufficiency in food

production by increasing the overall production of various crops. Specific
objectives include ensuring a profitable and sustainable agricultural production
system, preserving and developing land productivity, reducing dependence on a
single crop, and improving food security and nutritional status. The policy also
addresses environmental concerns through sustainable agriculture practices.

Opportunities and Constraints in the Agriculture Sector

The NAP recognizes both opportunities and constraints within the agriculture
sector. Opportunities include the sector's significant contribution to GDP,
abundant labor supply, favorable natural environment, biodiversity, and higher
value added of agricultural commodities. However, constraints such as
dependence on unpredictable natural conditions, decreasing cultivable land,
widespread poverty, lack of capital, and weak agricultural linkages present
challenges that need strategic solutions.

Crop Production Policy

The NAP emphasizes the need to diversify crops beyond the dominant rice-
based production system. While acknowledging the importance of rice, the
policy encourages increased cultivation and production of other crops.
Strategies include crop diversification programs, special emphasis on crops like
wheat and maize, and the promotion of modern technologies and improved
cultural practices.

Seeds Policy

The seed industry is a crucial aspect of agricultural development. The NAP

promotes the private sector's role in seed production, import, and marketing. It
outlines policies to improve the technical skills of the private sector, encourage
seed development, and ensure the availability of quality seeds. Additionally, the
policy addresses the import of hybrid rice seeds, aiming to consolidate
opportunities while ensuring sustained benefits for farmers.

Fertilizers Policy

Balanced fertilizer use is crucial for maintaining soil fertility and increasing
crop yield. The NAP advocates for policies that promote the use of balanced
fertilizers, encourage organic manure, and ensure the availability of good-
quality fertilizers. The policy also emphasizes the importance of banning
fertilizers harmful to the soil environment and strengthening the distribution
system.
Minor Irrigation Policy

Irrigation is a key input for increased crop yield. The NAP focuses on
developing minor irrigation systems to gradually increase cropping intensity
and yield. Strategies include reducing irrigation costs, expanding irrigation
facilities, and encouraging surface water irrigation. The policy also highlights
the importance of conjunctive use of ground and surface water and aims to
increase efficiency through education and training.

Pest Management

Agriculture Policy, emphasizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the

primary approach. The key elements of the pest control policy include
promoting the use of pest-resistant crop varieties, adopting modern cultivation
practices to minimize pest infestation, and employing mechanical control
measures such as light traps and hand nets. Additionally, the policy encourages
the implementation of biological control measures to eliminate harmful insects
while preserving beneficial ones.

Agricultural Mechanisation

The government has emphasized the importance of agricultural mechanisation

due to the scarcity of draft power. To encourage this, restrictions on testing and
standardization have been lifted in the free market distribution system. This has
led to a significant increase in the use of agricultural machinery, with potential
for further growth. To promote mechanisation, measures will be taken to collect
and publicize information about the type of machinery needed, attract private
investment, and reduce dependence on draft power. The government will also
develop an improved power delivery system to efficiently utilize scarce draft
power. Machinery workshops and industries involved in mechanisation will be
provided with appropriate taxes and duties to keep machine prices within
farmers' purchasing capacity. Additionally, farmers will be motivated to
purchase or lease agricultural machines through cooperatives to popularize
mechanisation.

Agriculture Research
A coordinated research plan is crucial for the rapid development of the crop
sector. A two-dimensional agricultural research management programme will
be followed, prioritizing low-cost technologies for small, marginal, and medium
farmers, including women, and strengthening applied research through
advanced methodology. The National Agricultural Research Institutes and the
Department of Agricultural Marketing will strengthen their social, economic,
and marketing research programs to determine the economic importance of crop
production. The National Agricultural Research System will be further
strengthened through periodic evaluation. Prioritized research subjects include
soil and agro-ecological Zone (AEZ)-specific research, fertilizer development,
land productivity preservation, irrigate and rain-fed cultivation, farm
management, biodiversity preservation, indigenous plant pesticides, crop quality
and utility, food-based nutrition, domestic and export demand trends, crop
preservation and processing, women's participation in agricultural activities,
crop varieties and technologies for drought and flooded conditions, short-
duration improved seeds, crop diversification, coastal, hilly, waterlogged,
salinity-affected areas, deep water rice, integrated rice cum fish culture, and
marketing and price trends.

Agriculture Extension

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is enhancing its agricultural

extension services to improve land productivity and proper use of agricultural
land. The New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) aims to promote
sustainable technology and improve crop production systems. The extension
will strengthen the agricultural research-extension linkage, involving private
sector entrepreneurs, NGOs, and farmers. To make the organization more
efficient, the DAE will prepare suitable programs, monitor seed supply and
availability, and prepare reports on crop-wise demand. Public mass media will
be used to promote rapid extension of agricultural technologies, and the
Agriculture Information Service will be strengthened. Multiple extension
approaches will be used to facilitate rapid transfer of agricultural production
technologies.

Agriculture Marketing

The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) is facing challenges in

marketing agricultural commodities due to middlemen's control. To improve the
agricultural marketing system, the government plans to establish a proper
marketing network, restructure the DAM, and establish an 'Agriculture Price
Commission' for marketing programs. The marketing programs will focus on
proper storage and preservation of crops, timely supply of crops, processing
facilities, exporting of agricultural commodities, improving efficiency and
effectiveness of marketing programs, providing market-related information to
farmers, traders, and consumers, and providing assistance in solving marketing
problems. The Agricultural Commodity Market Control Act of 1964 will be
updated and implemented, and measures will be taken to establish linkages
among producers, traders, exporters, and processors. Self-motivated cooperative
marketing systems will be encouraged, and output price supports will be
provided.

Land Use

The government is responsible for maximizing land use for crop production,
ensuring it aligns with social goals and utility. The Soil Resources Development
Institute (SRDI) will prioritize land zoning, and bottom-up planning will be
implemented at the village level. Farmers will be encouraged to grow more
profitable crops, and fertile agricultural land will be used for non-agricultural
purposes. Inter-cropping with main crops will be promoted, and land acquisition
will be discouraged. Landowners will be motivated to avoid unused land, and
measures will be taken to protect small and marginal farmers and sharecroppers.

Agricultural Education and Training

The Agriculture Policy aims to develop efficient manpower in agricultural

disciplines to increase production rates. Bangobondhu Agricultural University
and Bangladesh Agricultural University have been established to expand
agricultural education. The government plans to improve administrative and
academic management of agricultural colleges, increase the number of
agricultural education institutions, manage them according to university
curricula and examination rules, and strengthen technical standards,
administration, and management of 13 Agricultural Training Institutes (ATI)
offering diploma courses. Departmental training for agriculture officials will be
strengthened, and in-service training will continue.

Government Support for Agricultural Production and Contingency Plan

The government should support farmers in using modern technologies to
increase crop production. This can be achieved through reducing input prices,
ensuring fair prices, exempting duties and taxes, sharing irrigation costs, and
lowering agricultural credit interest rates. The Ministry of Agriculture will also
undertake contingency support programs for farmers' losses due to natural
disasters. An agro-meteorological center will be established to analyze agro-
meteorological data, forecast sowing/transplanting times, and provide agro-
meteorological advice. These measures aim to help farmers recover from crop
losses and improve their agricultural practices.

Food-based Nutrition

The government has approved the National Food and Nutrition Policy and the
National Plan of Action on Nutrition, following the 1992 World Declaration.
The aim is to improve nutritional objectives, food security, and consumer
protection through improved food quality and safety in agriculture.

Environmental Protection in Agriculture

The National Agriculture Policy aims to prevent environmental pollution caused

by chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in crop production. Water logging
and salinity are significant issues in coastal areas, threatening agricultural
activities and the environment. Government steps include resisting water
logging, encouraging crop rotation, developing salt-tolerant crop varieties, and
protecting the environment through approved National Environment and Water
Policies. Additionally, steps will be taken to address environmental pollution
from shrimp culture in southern saline areas, in line with the Fisheries Policy.

Women in Agriculture

Bangladesh's National Agriculture Policy aims to increase women's

involvement in agriculture to control rural-urban migration. Programs include
post-harvest operations, seed preservation, nursery business, jute stripping,
vegetable cultivation, homestead gardening, floriculture, and cottage industries.
Training programs and capital support will be provided to encourage women's
interest. A separate extension program will be organized for women, and
research will identify constraints and implement measures to remove them.

Coordination among the Government, NGOs and Private Sector

The agriculture sector faces complex and widespread problems due to limited
resources. To address these issues, government, private, farmers, and non-
government organizations will coordinate activities. Private sector agencies and
NGOs can participate in programs, but the government can postpone or ban
activities that conflict with the National Agriculture Policy. A well-organized
monitoring system will coordinate activities from national to field level, with
agriculture committees formed at national, district, thana, and union levels.
Farmers' organizations will also be included in these committees.

Conclusion

With the right execution, the National Agriculture Policy will eventually turn
agriculture as a whole—and the crop production system in particular—into a
dynamic industry that is predicted to significantly boost the nation's economy.
With time, the country's overall economic situation and the evolving
agricultural production system will be taken into consideration while evaluating
and reviewing the National Agriculture Policy, and appropriate updates will be
implemented.