Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said the agriculture sector deserves a larger budgetary allocation considering its crucial role in ensuring food security, generating employment and controlling inflation.
Speaking at a seminar titled "Budget 2026-27: Roadmap for Agricultural Development and Implementation Challenges," organised by the Agriculturists Association of Bangladesh (AAB) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital, Rizvi said greater investment in agriculture is essential to achieve the government's development goals.
He described the government's target of providing Farmers’ Cards to 42.5 lakh farmers under the proposed budget as an important initiative, saying it will play a significant role in promoting rural financing and agricultural development.
Recalling his experience as a former chairman of Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Rizvi said the rural agricultural credit programme was introduced during the tenure of martyred President Ziaur Rahman following the 1974 famine.
He said Tk 100 crore had been allocated for farmers at that time, which played a vital role in reviving the rural economy.
The BNP leader also credited Ziaur Rahman's government with introducing agricultural mechanisation, expanding the use of power tillers, excavating canals and initiating rice exports, saying those measures helped modernise the agriculture sector.
Although the allocation for agriculture has increased compared to the previous fiscal year, he said the rise is not significant when inflation is taken into account.
Rizvi said agriculture currently contributes around 5-6 percent to the national economy, but the country should aim to increase that contribution to 7-8 percent.
Since nearly 40 percent of total employment depends on agriculture, he said the sector deserves greater policy attention and investment.
The BNP leader noted that while the overall national budget has increased by 17.7 percent, the growth in agricultural allocation has not been proportionate, warning that without higher allocation and stronger monitoring, the government's agricultural transformation goals may not be achieved.
He stressed the need to introduce modern long-term preservation technologies for onions, mangoes and other fruits and vegetables alongside potatoes.
Rizvi also called for greater emphasis on agricultural research, saying Bangladesh can reduce dependence on imports by increasing the production of onions, ginger and garlic through expanded research and extension services.
Drawing examples from New Zealand and Denmark, he said Bangladesh has significant opportunities to expand agriculture-based industries. "If agriculture weakens, food security, employment and inflation control will all be adversely affected," he said.
The BNP leader urged the government to increase budgetary allocation for agriculture, strengthen research and produce more scientifically skilled human resources to achieve its declared development targets.
He also called for higher investment in all agricultural sub-sectors, including livestock and poultry, to ensure the successful implementation of the government's development agenda.
The seminar featured a keynote presentation by Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman Khan, chairman of the Department of Agricultural Finance and Banking at Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Vice-President Dr Towhidur Rahman Awal were also present at the event chaired by AAB Convener Agriculturist Dr Kamruzzaman Kayser and moderated by Member Secretary Agriculturist Shahadat Hossain Biplob.