Bangabandhu: Founder of Green Revolution in Bangladesh

 

The Green Revolution is a period during which agriculture is transformed into a modern industrial system through the adoption of technology. The use of advanced technologies and techniques are introduced by agricultural scientists, technologists and farmers during this period is part of the larger Green Revolution effort.

The 'turning point' of Bangladesh's success in food production was the Green Revolution movement announced by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972 after independence to encourage the people with the slogan 'Grow more food'. In continuation of this, Bangabandhu's daughter, the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's very efficient plan and its implementation, the country is self-reliant in the production of major staple food crops and the success of Bangladesh agriculture has become an exemplary example in the world.

Among the steps of Bangabandhu's Green Revolution were-Use of high yielding and improved seeds; use of chemical fertilizers; intensive agricultural programs; Promotion of small irrigation and agricultural education; Follow plant protection and crop cycle; land conservation activities; Providing bank facilities or loans to farmers; rural electrification for irrigation facilities; Funding for agricultural development and expansion of agricultural universities and research.

In 1972, the newly independent Bangladesh stood on the ruins of war. Due to the 9-month liberation war, the farmers faced problems in growing crops in the fields. As many farmers had to leave their homes, many could not cultivate. There were no seeds, fertilizers and pesticides needed to grow crops. Deficiency of irrigation facilities was also evident. Bangabandhu correctly understood that this country will not survive if agriculture and farmers do not survive. As a result, after the formation of the government in independent Bangladesh, he called for a ‘Green revolution’ aimed at increasing production. After independence, Bangabandhu took a landmark decision for the farmers in the first meeting of the cabinet on January 13, 1972. In the country's first financial budget, out of the total development budget of 500 crores, 101 crores were allocated to the agriculture sector. In order to increase production in agriculture and help farmers to turn around, he distributed 10 crore taka loans and five crore co-operative loans among farmers in 13 months. Bangabandhu quickly collected and distributed 83 thousand tons of fertilizer, 16 thousand 125 tons of paddy seeds, three thousand tons of wheat seeds, one thousand 700 tons of potato seeds, and 454 tons of jute seeds. Within very short time two thousand 900 deep tube wells and three thousand shallow tube wells were installed for irrigation. He provided 40,000 powered low-lift pumps to provide irrigation to 8 million acres of land. 21 tractors supplied to BADC for modern and deep cultivation. Besides, he provided 21 power tillers at nominal price, one lakh bullocks for cultivation, 50 thousand dairy cows to increase its population at subsidized price. As a part of food production assistance, he also distributed relief of 30 crore rupees including food grains for three consecutive months.

The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu distributed Khas land among the landless farmers so that the productive land did not fall fallow. Fertilizers are subsidized so that the high price of fertilizers in the world market does not prevent farmers from applying fertilizers to their crops land. Apart from that, one million certificates case issued against farmers during the Pakistani era was withdrawn from lawsuits. He abolished land tax up to 25 bighas forever. To protect poor farmers, rations are ensured at lower prices. Arrangements are also made so that the children of poor farmer families can get education at government expense. In just three and a half years, he was able to increase the use of fertilizers by 80 percent.

Bangabandhu realized that implementing the Green Revolution and the Agricultural Revolution would require rapid expansion of technology along with hardworking farmers. Therefore, he laid special emphasis on agricultural research and extension of technology to develop high-yielding varieties with the aim of increasing modern farming methods and agricultural production. Bangabandhu laid the foundation for the development of today's agriculture through the Green Revolution.

Before independence, there was an average yearly shortage of 1.5 M tonnes of food grains. Bangabandhu did a lot in the agriculture sector in just three and a half years of his rule, now his daughter, Sheikh Hasina, is taking the agriculture sector of Bangladesh to the peak of height in the way shown by her father. As a result of her visionary thinking, planning and implementation, Bangladesh is now in the first 10 places in the world in 13 sectors. Bangladesh stands first in the world in raw jute export and Hilsa fish production,second in jute, wood and goat production. Third in freshwater fish and vegetable production,fourth in rice production,sixth in potato production. Bangladesh ranks eighth in the world in mango and guava production. However, it is admitted that Bangabandhu laid the foundation for the development of today's agriculture.


Dr. AKM Shameem Alam
is Deputy Director, Department
of Agriculture Extension,
Ministry of Agriculture,
Bangladesh Government.