FE Today Logo

34pc farmers want to switch to other professions: Study

FE Report | April 10, 2019 00:00:00


Only 34.11 per cent of respondents said they would leave farming profession if they get better alternative jobs, according to a recent study.

On the other hand, 65.89 per cent of the farmers said they would continue their occupation even after they avail better opportunities, it added.

The study was conducted jointly by non-governmental organisation (NGO) ActionAid, Bangladesh and Food Security Network (KHANI).

The scoping study titled 'Family farming in Bangladesh: challenges and prospects' was launched at a seminar held at a conference centre of Krishibid Institute Bangladesh in the capital on Tuesday.

Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman attended the seminar as the chief guest with president of KHANI Bangladesh Dr Joynul Abedin in the chair.

Moderated by ActionAid director Asgar Ali Sabri, the seminar was also attended by Dr Anil Kumar Das, a consultant of Food and Agriculture Organisation, and Md Abdul Bari, project director of Soil Resource Development Institute.

Two researchers Nurul Alam Masud and Pavel Partha presented the key findings of the study.

The survey was conducted among 899 farmers living in 86 villages of 11 districts for preparing the study.

According to it, 80.54 per cent of small farmers believe that the scope to sell their goods and access to market is easier.

Among the respondents, 746 farmers believe that agriculture is a familial work in general while 91 considers it a combination of both personal and familial work and the remaining ones believe that it is fully personal work.

The study made 10-point recommendation including creating a congenial environment, ensuring farmers' access to land, ascertaining youths' participation and empowering the farmers' organisation to bolster family farming in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the agriculture secretary said the country's economic development largely depends on the protection of farmers' and family farming.

Mr Nasir also said agricultural contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is still huge, though it has apparently been on the wane in recent years.

"Actually, the contribution of the industrial sector is rising which leads to an apparent declining trend in the figures of agriculture's contribution."

The bureaucrat said Bangladesh's success in ensuring food security mostly from own sources amid several global recessions in the last one decade is testimonial of the success.

He would convey the study recommendations to the authorities concerned to take necessary actions, he added.

[email protected]


Share if you like