Initiatives to reduce Monga
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Md Azizur Rahman
SOME pockets of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lamonirhat districts are known as Monga-hit areas. Without any exception, the Monga hits the working people of those areas, especially during the lean months. Mostly labourers, they have no regular source of income. The government, private sector, NGOs and a few philanthropists provide temporary relief to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people. Of the total population of the districts, more than 40 per cent are hard hit. They suffer from starvation, diseases of all kinds and various other problems. For unknown reasons, the relief does not reach the affected people worsening the Monga situation further. In order to face the unprecedented drought, flood and other calamities, government and NGOs have initiated projects to create job opportunities and other means of income generation. However, the effect and impact of these efforts are not so visible.
Programme initiatives: Other than the government initiatives, a good number of small projects run by national and international NGOs are being implemented at those vulnerable places of the districts since long. The objectives of these organisations are: (i) job creation, (ii) income generation, (iii) employ local skills and resources (mainly agricultural), and (iv) poverty reduction keeping in view the impact of Monga. It was expected that as a result of the intervention of these projects, the conditions of Monga will be removed either completely or partially. But in reality, vulnerability of the people in the Momga-prone areas has remained as it is.
Plans to improve the situation: The government and the NGO Bureau, NGOs and research organisation and the district administration must have been monitoring and evaluating the impact of the programme being implemented in the areas since long. Around 4.8 million people, which is 40 per cent of the total population of those 5 districts, are still suffering for want of food, shelter, job and income, specially during the, Monga seasons. Some important inputs/programs need to be in place which may add to successful implementation of the projects. There could be many other possibilities, too, some of which are being considered, while others might be already on the way to implementation.
Training institutions for skill development: Countries of the Middle East as well as those in the Southeast Asia and Far East such as Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and a few other countries every year employ more than 500,000 labourers in construction work, agriculture and industries. Those companies need trained persons and skilled workforce of different categories and standards. The training institute referred to in the heading would introduce training on some selected and demand-based skills having job creating potential in Bangladesh as well. The number of such training institutions as indicated may be limited at the initial stage. They may be affiliated with the polytechnic institutes of the respective districts.
Modernising agriculture: Bangladesh being an agriculture-based country, it has much scope to develop in the sector with the help of more agricultural inputs including mechanisation, irrigation, balanced application of fertilisers, seeds, and improved agricultural implements for more production. This may provide scope for more agricultural workers with proper training and transfer of knowledge. BARI, BRRI and other research and extension organisations have been doing commendable work in this regard to increase production. This knowledge has to be transferred to the agricultural workers and others with adequate training.
Economic zones: Economic zones other than BSCIC Industrial Estates may be the venue for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Local raw materials and such other resources could be the focus of the economic zones, where 60 per cent entrepreneur should be locals employing local residents, who are every year affected by Monga. The economic zones with different kinds of facilities and infrastructure will also enable entrepreneurs to set up their ventures with special permissions.
Sub contracting and linkage industry: As in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong micro, small and medium scale industrial enterprises are most suitable for sub-contracting and linkages with large enterprises. The sponsoring organisation like BOI, BSCIC, and such other entities should sanction large enterprises either in the economy zones, or at any suitable locations with the provision of sub-contracting/linkage with micro, small and medium enterprises. For obvious reasons, these large enterprises must be provided with special incentives and packages.
Cluster-based micro, small and medium and enterprises: Clusters like metal industry (for example, Bogra Metal or Tipu Sultan of Dholaikhal), textiles (such in Tangail), electrical manufacturing (as in Shyampur and Kadamtali), leather footwear and other products (as found at Suritola, Islampur, Mirpur in Dhaka), garments (like those at Sadarghat) may be encouraged with special facilities and incentives. The above are a few such projects being suggested. One can add other more viable options to the aforementioned ones, because many individuals as well as organisations are very much concerned about Monga. A comprehensive programme integrated with the local government institutions could give a new constructive dimension to income generation.
Since Monga is a serious and critical issue agitating in the minds of many, chambers of commerce and industry and other organisations in the respective districts could play a significant role, since all sections of the population are directly or indirectly related to their programmes and activities. The FBCCI as the apex organisation in cooperation with the ministries concerned and local administration may undertake follow-up and coordination on 'Monga Programme' in each district for effective results as expected.
Short, medium and long-term programme for on poverty reduction, job creation, and income generation for the Monga affected people have to be launched. As a consequence, Monga-prone areas will soon become an attraction to many for business development. The endeavour requires an integrated approach by the organisations including NGOs implementing various national programmes in the private and public sectors.
(The writer is a former
director of BSCIC)
SOME pockets of Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lamonirhat districts are known as Monga-hit areas. Without any exception, the Monga hits the working people of those areas, especially during the lean months. Mostly labourers, they have no regular source of income. The government, private sector, NGOs and a few philanthropists provide temporary relief to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people. Of the total population of the districts, more than 40 per cent are hard hit. They suffer from starvation, diseases of all kinds and various other problems. For unknown reasons, the relief does not reach the affected people worsening the Monga situation further. In order to face the unprecedented drought, flood and other calamities, government and NGOs have initiated projects to create job opportunities and other means of income generation. However, the effect and impact of these efforts are not so visible.
Programme initiatives: Other than the government initiatives, a good number of small projects run by national and international NGOs are being implemented at those vulnerable places of the districts since long. The objectives of these organisations are: (i) job creation, (ii) income generation, (iii) employ local skills and resources (mainly agricultural), and (iv) poverty reduction keeping in view the impact of Monga. It was expected that as a result of the intervention of these projects, the conditions of Monga will be removed either completely or partially. But in reality, vulnerability of the people in the Momga-prone areas has remained as it is.
Plans to improve the situation: The government and the NGO Bureau, NGOs and research organisation and the district administration must have been monitoring and evaluating the impact of the programme being implemented in the areas since long. Around 4.8 million people, which is 40 per cent of the total population of those 5 districts, are still suffering for want of food, shelter, job and income, specially during the, Monga seasons. Some important inputs/programs need to be in place which may add to successful implementation of the projects. There could be many other possibilities, too, some of which are being considered, while others might be already on the way to implementation.
Training institutions for skill development: Countries of the Middle East as well as those in the Southeast Asia and Far East such as Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and a few other countries every year employ more than 500,000 labourers in construction work, agriculture and industries. Those companies need trained persons and skilled workforce of different categories and standards. The training institute referred to in the heading would introduce training on some selected and demand-based skills having job creating potential in Bangladesh as well. The number of such training institutions as indicated may be limited at the initial stage. They may be affiliated with the polytechnic institutes of the respective districts.
Modernising agriculture: Bangladesh being an agriculture-based country, it has much scope to develop in the sector with the help of more agricultural inputs including mechanisation, irrigation, balanced application of fertilisers, seeds, and improved agricultural implements for more production. This may provide scope for more agricultural workers with proper training and transfer of knowledge. BARI, BRRI and other research and extension organisations have been doing commendable work in this regard to increase production. This knowledge has to be transferred to the agricultural workers and others with adequate training.
Economic zones: Economic zones other than BSCIC Industrial Estates may be the venue for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Local raw materials and such other resources could be the focus of the economic zones, where 60 per cent entrepreneur should be locals employing local residents, who are every year affected by Monga. The economic zones with different kinds of facilities and infrastructure will also enable entrepreneurs to set up their ventures with special permissions.
Sub contracting and linkage industry: As in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong micro, small and medium scale industrial enterprises are most suitable for sub-contracting and linkages with large enterprises. The sponsoring organisation like BOI, BSCIC, and such other entities should sanction large enterprises either in the economy zones, or at any suitable locations with the provision of sub-contracting/linkage with micro, small and medium enterprises. For obvious reasons, these large enterprises must be provided with special incentives and packages.
Cluster-based micro, small and medium and enterprises: Clusters like metal industry (for example, Bogra Metal or Tipu Sultan of Dholaikhal), textiles (such in Tangail), electrical manufacturing (as in Shyampur and Kadamtali), leather footwear and other products (as found at Suritola, Islampur, Mirpur in Dhaka), garments (like those at Sadarghat) may be encouraged with special facilities and incentives. The above are a few such projects being suggested. One can add other more viable options to the aforementioned ones, because many individuals as well as organisations are very much concerned about Monga. A comprehensive programme integrated with the local government institutions could give a new constructive dimension to income generation.
Since Monga is a serious and critical issue agitating in the minds of many, chambers of commerce and industry and other organisations in the respective districts could play a significant role, since all sections of the population are directly or indirectly related to their programmes and activities. The FBCCI as the apex organisation in cooperation with the ministries concerned and local administration may undertake follow-up and coordination on 'Monga Programme' in each district for effective results as expected.
Short, medium and long-term programme for on poverty reduction, job creation, and income generation for the Monga affected people have to be launched. As a consequence, Monga-prone areas will soon become an attraction to many for business development. The endeavour requires an integrated approach by the organisations including NGOs implementing various national programmes in the private and public sectors.
(The writer is a former
director of BSCIC)