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The government has initiated a project to strengthen the research and extension activities of agriculture sector aiming at boosting the country's food production.
The proposed "National Agricultural Technology Development Project" will hopefully make a major breakthrough in fields of research and development of the agriculture sector, officials said.
The World Bank will provide the government necessary financial support for the initiative, a senior Agriculture Ministry official told the FE.
"Usually, donors are reluctant to provide fund for research purpose. So, the project will add new dimension to the promotion of the country's agriculture sector," said the official.
The officials said the area of cultivable lands in Bangladesh is gradually decreasing due to expansion of industrial and housing units, and river erosions.
So, the country has no alternative but to multiply the farm output to feed the growing number of population, they said, adding innovation and application of modern technologies are essential for achieving the goal.
And innovation of modern technologies can also be possible through research and study, they mentioned.
Unfortunately, the country is unable to carry out such research works mainly due to lack of fund, they observed.
Responding to a query, an official said the agriculture ministry in consultation with the WB is preparing the project paper (PP).
"Hopefully, we will be able to launch the project within the next few months," the official said.
The Ministry of Agriculture will be the main implementing agency of the project while Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will also be integrated into it.
Besides, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) will conduct the research works under the scheme.
The broad-based research works include development of high-yielding variety (HYV) of crops, innovation of advanced technologies for the agriculture sector, according to officials.
Meanwhile, another scheme titled "Agri-business Development Project" for the promotion of small and medium agro-based enterprises in the country is also on the cards.
The agriculture ministry with the credit support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will implement the US$ 48 million project.
The scheme also aims at ensuring enhanced market access of small farmers through expansion of agri-business activities in the country, especially rural areas.
The key objective of the project will be to reduce poverty through creating more jobs in the country's agriculture sector.
Besides, a strong business network will be established across the country, they added.
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