Nearly 80 percent of Bangladesh’s total population live in rural areas, with the majority engaged in agricultural production. Although the apparent contribution of agriculture seems relatively small, it plays a significant role in food security, job creation and economic growth. Regrettably, the rural livelihood options show little diversification and limited progress in eliminating widespread poverty in Bangladesh. Although Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh has seen continuous growth over the years, the engagement of the majority of rural poor in economic activity continues to be minimal.
In order to achieve an improved economic growth for the country, the higher share to national wealth must be ensured for the rural poor by making agriculture a viable and profitable livelihood option. However, agriculture comprising of farming, livestock, poultry, fisheries and forestry along with small and marginal farmers of Bangladesh are facing multidimensional challenges ie. 1. Absence of producer’s organizations to lobby for fair price for agricultural products, 2. Poor access to agricultural services and high price of agricultural inputs 3. Inadequate investment in agriculture 4. Limited access of the poor to common productive resources (canal, rivers, ponds and forests), 5. Destruction of ecology and biodiversity by human elements including climate change and 6. Lack of coherence in agricultural policies and limited implementation of the polices.
Agriculture is the union of human and nature. Changes in policies and material world undoubtedly have impact on agriculture. As part of global financial regime, the national economic structure that protects corporate interest against the local interest for food security, workforce development and economic growth is the main reason for the existing problems in agriculture. Support from the Government is the key in this regard; coherent and logical steps to ensure jobs, food and development initiatives for the people must be the main purpose of the nation.
With the goal of ensuring sustainable development through the reduction of poverty and vulnerability for the rural population, more than 150 local, national and international development and civil society organizations launched the Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL). Considering the ecological diversity of Bangladesh and diversified issues, CSRL decided to cover 30 Agro- Ecological Zones (AEZ) of the country. However, for a comprehensive and effective campaigning, 8 groups Plain land, Char land, Barind Tract, Haor, Coastal Area, Beel, Madhupur Tract and Hilly Area were formed on the basis of their focus on distinct AEZs.
Background
