Govt to finalise 25-yr master plan to modernise agri by Dec

The government is in the final stages of formulating a 25-year master plan to transform Bangladesh's agriculture into a modern, sustainable, and export-driven sector, aiming to boost productivity, reduce import dependency, and meet growing global market demand.
"The integrated plan, which takes into account future risks and technological advancements, is expected to be finalised by December this year," Agriculture Secretary Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said on Thursday, while sharing the details at the inaugural ceremony of the four-day international conference titled "Political Commitment in Agriculture and Food", held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.
The event was organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF). The theme of the first day focused on "Transformation of Agriculture: Locally Suitable Farm Machinery and Challenges in Agricultural Exports."
The agriculture secretary said the master plan will concentrate on 13 major sectors and numerous sub-sectors. Separate 25-year roadmaps are also being prepared for 17 agriculture-related organisations and research institutes. In addition to long-term planning, several five-year projects will be implemented, with each requiring thorough research and evaluation before approval.
On fertiliser management reform, he said, "We are creating a policy that will save Tk 20-30 billion annually. This year alone, Tk 10 billion has been saved. Tk 6.0 billion from the agricultural mechanisation project has even been returned to the government treasury, while the rest of the project was completed with just Tk 2 billion."
He added that the government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in ginger and onion within the next three years.
Highlighting progress in mechanisation, Dr KM Saiful Islam, director of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Mechanised Rice Cultivation Project, said BRRI is building a complete ecosystem for producing agricultural machinery locally, reducing import dependency.
"With technical assistance from countries such as Sri Lanka and Japan, high-quality farm machinery is now being manufactured domestically, improving efficiency, lowering costs, and addressing labour shortages."
PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader said that PKSF's partner organisations disburse Tk 1.4 trillion annually at the grassroots level, with 40 per cent going to agriculture. Around 85 per cent of all agricultural financing in the country is channelled through microfinance institutions (MFIs).
BRRI Director General Dr Mohammad Khalekuzzaman highlighted the significant growth in crop yields since independence. While per-hectare rice production was only 1.5-2.0 tonnes in the early years, yields in some areas now exceed 8.0-10 tonnes. With hybrid varieties and modern technology, average yields are expected to surpass 10 tonnes in the future.
Kamal Uddin Kamal, director (marketing) of PRAN-RFL Group, stressed the potential of the agricultural processing sector, noting that the global market is worth US$4.0 trillion, while Bangladesh's domestic market is only $1.0 billion.
He pointed out that exporters face delays and high costs due to approvals from 18 different offices. Mr Kamal called for a one-stop service system, stronger country branding, and more effective use of embassies and commercial diplomacy to boost exports.
BAJF President Shahanuare Shaid Shahin emphasised that political commitment is essential to safeguard farmers and agriculture.
He urged all political parties to include clear, long-term agricultural strategies in their election manifestos. The inaugural programme was moderated by BAJF Secretary Abu Khalid.

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