During a presentation on ‘Land Acquisition and Biodiversity Preservation Plan’ in adjacent areas of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Complex at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday rightly said that all villages will have to be developed in a planned way protecting biodiversity and ensuring civic amenities for all. She further said that not only Upazilas, civic facilities will have to be ensured in rural areas too as our government aimed to develop villages.
In Bangladesh, almost 65 per cent of the total population lives in villages. Therefore it is natural that for ‘inclusive’ development, the government must focus on them. We must give top priority to the development of villages in a planned way — preserving the sustainability and biodiversity of the villages will positively impact cities in the long run. For rural development, one often hears of providing urban facilities to rural areas. The word “Rurban” is often bandied about. However, it should be understood that modern urban areas require many complex facilities which cannot be made available in a very small scale.
The farmers and rural Bangladesh in general
have the potential to not only become self-sustainable,
but to largely contribute to the economic growth of the country
In Bangladesh, It is generally difficult even to provide basic facilities for health and education in rural areas as teachers and doctors are simply not willing to live in these villages without adequate facilities for their families. Creating model villages is thus going to be difficult. As villagers get educated and leave for towns, a boost to farm productivity, non-agriculture income, rural ecology and crafts can curb urban migration, helping cities as well.
The farmers and rural Bangladesh in general have the potential to not only become self-sustainable, but to largely contribute to the economic growth of the country. But the government has to provide for the infrastructure and the required support. And probably one day agriculture of the country may become remunerative enough for governments to prepare and present annual agriculture plans in Parliament and the state assemblies.
