The core sector
In the next four decades the world's population will grow by 2.3 billion. Meeting the demand of the world's 9.1 billion population in 2050 will require 70% more food than we currently produce. So unless we take the right decisions today we risk finding the globally dangerous bare tomorrow. It is time the authorities took some necessary steps for a real agricultural revolution.
1. Some TV channels have been telecasting innovative agricultural programmes, but they do not reach the rural areas. Because the cable TV channel facilities are not available at the village level. So the farmers are deprived of watching programmes and cannot learn or implement the innovations.
2. Upazila level agriculture officers and block supervisors must develop better working relations with real farmers and their lands. The block supervisors must visit their blocks regularly.
3. Fertilizers and insecticides should be used carefully but our farmers are mostly ignorant and also victims of dishonest traders supplying spurious fertilizers. Farmers' awareness should be enhanced, they need to be better trained to take up the new methods and technologies, and that will require spending on education and agricultural extension. Most of those investments will come from the government and the private sectors.
4. Feeding everyone in 2050 will also require poverty reduction strategies, social safety nets for both poor producers and consumers and rural development programmes. It will need better governance and establishment of the agricultural sector that will improve people's access to food. Also important is a reform of the agricultural seed and fertilizer trade system, so that it is not only corruption free but also equitable.
5. Agriculture related machineries and tools should be available to the farmers. Loans for the farmers would be easy and corruption free. Then the sectors will be automated. We can banish the spectre of hunger forever and make sure that our children and next generation enjoy a healthy life. There is no alternative to poverty alleviation and an agricultural revolution. The authorities should take necessary measures in this area.
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