Agriculture should get top priority
IT is encouraging that the present caretaker government has attached highest budget to agricultural sector. It is a correct assessment and realization that if we can bring a breakthrough in agriculture then only the country can stand on a strong footing. If our agricultural foundation is not made strong, then the industry we seek to build will not have a strong basis either. More important, if our food front cracks up everything else will crack up too.
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has done a splendid job by developing quite a good number of high yielding rice varieties because of which though the population has increased manifold and on the other hand cultivable land has decreased due to industries, housing and other factors, yet the diligent farmers of this country have proved that they could achieve the target and feed the entire population by their untiring effort.
According to Department of Agricultural Extension sources, even after two devastating floods and cyclonic storm Sidr Boro cultivation achieved more than its target i.e. 187 lac tons against 174. Aman target has been fixed to 131 lac ton, similarly target for Aus has been fixed to 22.93 lac ton.
There has been bumper crop not only of boro but wheat, potato, and maize also. Target of wheat was 8.84 lac tons but the achievement has been 9.65 lac tons, while the potato production was 92 lac ton against 70. All credit goes to the farmers for their splendid endeavour.
Here it will not be out of place to mention that if we can utilize the scientists' effort definitely the output will be maximized. There should be a strong linkage between extension and research because the extension workers are important intermediaries to carry research innovations to farmers. Researchers pass new ideas to farmers through the system. In turn, farmers can use the extension network to help researchers become more aware of the real problem of the field. Hence, if researchers, extension workers and farmers can work together there is no reason why we will not achieve self sufficiency in food provided if we can utilize every inch of fallow land and remain firmly committed.
Bangladesh has signed an agreement with the World Bank for having six hundred crore taka for National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) with an objective to improve effectiveness of the national agricultural technology system. Agricultural research support component will aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the national agricultural research system through: (a) promotion of a pluralistic institutional structure by enabling entry of new partners to support the research system; (b) making agricultural research more participatory and demand-driven; (c) developing technologies to promote sustainable intensification and diversification of agriculture and for post-harvest value addition; and (d) bridging the yield gap between what is possible and what is being currently achieved by farmers.
It is a huge task to implement the project and should be seen as a national responsibility where researchers and extension workers are the key players. This is no doubt a pragmatic decision of the present government But the gloomy scenario in Agriculture Research Sector is shortage of senior talented and skilled scientists due to their emigration to different countries, particularly Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Higher education and training are an investment in the future of an individual and the nation as a whole. For producing a single PhD in the third world countries it costs around Tk. 30-35 lakh. With loan and grant money these scientists were trained over the last 25 years. So it will take again 20 to 25 years time to compensate for the loss of trained manpower already occurred. But here again everything can wait, not agriculture.
Present system offers very little to flourish their scientific talents and creativity. Even if one is lucky to be posted in a proper place after having been trained from advanced laboratories and academic institutions yet in most cases new responsibilities do not match his/her expertise. Naturally a sense of frustration arises when they find their scientific base acquired over the years is eroding.
There are instances that even after having a PhD degree one had to serve as SO/SSO for almost 10-15 years. Sadly true, many opportunities for participating in training/seminar/workshop are missed due to cumbersome process and dilly dallying tactics of the bureaucratic system which is sometimes humiliating also, thus leading to frustration in the mind of a scientist. The government has to think seriously and invent ways to retain the agricultural scientists in the face of their exodus to developed countries.
Here, one may argue that a man cannot be desisted from accepting a lucrative offer or better opportunity and it is the fundamental right of a citizen to choose his/her options. Besides, brain drain cannot be considered as a loss to the nation because they will be earning foreign currency which in turn makes the country benefited. But uncertain earning can in no way make a country economically moving.
Suggested remedies
Scientists working in the research and development (R&D) be considered for promotion through up-gradation. However, this should be done through a process of evaluation of merit and contribution only, not on so called seniority. The mechanism for the promotion should be such that a scientist remains and serves within his /her field of specialization without being transferred to other divisions for the sake of promotion only. Scientists' job in all the R&D organizations should be made pensionable making equal opportunity available to them in all national institutions.
Retirement age for the scientists should be made 60 years instead of 57 years with a provision of extension upto 65 years subject to outstanding contribution and enduring ability. Here it may not be out of place to mention that university teachers and judges of the upper judiciary are enjoying 65 and 67 years limit respectively so I find no reason why scientists should not be allowed to continue working upto 65 years in the greater interest of the country.
Warrant of precedence as an instrument should be given to scientists working in R&D organizations as practiced in the cadre services so that the scientists enjoy the same social status.
Top/managerial positions should be made regular so as to make the incumbents more effective and decisive and not suffer from any procrastination. BARC's status should be enhanced in the light of ICAR of India and PARC of Pakistan and full autonomy should be given so as to make it more effective and efficient.
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