The allocation for the agriculture sector in the upcoming budget is likely to see a significant rise as the government has taken various initiatives for this vital sector to ensure food security, boost the incomes of farmers and create jobs and thus improve the lifestyle of the rural poor. The total spending in this sector is projected to grow by 10 percent on average annually to Tk 377.07 billion in 2023-24 fiscal, according to a budgetary document obtained by UNB. The allocation for this sector in the running 2021-22 fiscal is Tk 319.12 billion while the projection for the next 2022-23 fiscal is Tk 344.26 billion. Read Bangladesh, Tanzania keen to work on blue economy, agriculture The allocation was Tk 239.17 billion, Tk 219.77 billion and Tk 297.25 billion in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscals respectively. This agriculture sector covers the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of Land and Ministry of Water Resources. The document states that agriculture is one of the top priority sectors of the government, as it plays a leading role in advancing the growth path of the economy by enhancing productivity and employment opportunities. Read Hasan Mahmud calls for foreign funding to boost use of solar energy in agriculture "So, addressing the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on agriculture was considered urgent. As per the document, the share of agriculture to GDP in Bangladesh is currently more than 13 percent, and it is the main source of generating income and employment for the rural people, particularly the poor segment.  

Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque on Sunday sought cooperation from India for agro-processing and farm mechanisation and said the two neighbours have many opportunities to work together.

Accelerating infrastructural development, ensuring utility services and upgrading education and medical services in rural areas may help engage the large number of people returning to their villages losing the sources of their income in the wake of COVID-19 fallout.

Bangladesh’s rural economy is going to be under pressure as a significant number of people from urban areas are returning to their respective villages losing the sources of their earnings due to Covid-19 fallout, says an expert.

Putting emphasis on improving the lifestyle of villagers, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the government is working to make the country’s rural economy stronger.