Salient Features of the Annual Development Programme 2013-14
Sector: Agriculture
Sub-sector: Crops
Crops sub-sector has been playing an important role for a sustainable socio-economic development of the country through attainment of self-sufficiency in food, production of cash crops, production of industry-related crops, fulfillment of nutritional demand, creation of employment, reduction of unemployment, development of rural economy, alleviation of poverty and an increased export of agricultural and agro-based products. To ensure food security for the large population of the country, besides attaining food sufficiency, it is very important to grow highly nutritional crops. In this connection, projects have been taken with activities on innovation, production and distribution of HYV seeds, expansion of irrigation, intensification of crops, adoption of farm-machines which suit best in the context of the present socio-economic condition of the country, research, innovation and extension of sustainable farming system consistent to the consumers’ expectation, and dissemination of agriculture related information and other supportive programmes. It is mentionable that, in the ADP of FY 2013-14, two projects are included to produce quality seeds with a view to increasing production of crops. Another project has also been taken to establish a seed production farm in the comparatively less developed south-western part of the country, In order to grow seeds of rice, wheat, maize, potato, pulse etc. which will be capable to adapt to the changed environment affected by salinity, drought and water logging etc.
Emphasis has been given in co-ordination among the activities of the agencies, so that the output of research and extension work is communicated to the farmers efficiently. To gear- up agriculture related economic growth, in the ADP 2013-14, there are 9 projects under the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), 4 Projects under Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), 5Projects under Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), 1 Project under Bangladesh Applied Nutrition & Human Resource Development (BANHRD), 1 Project under Cotton Development Board (CDB), 1 Project under Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), 2 Projects under Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI), 1 Project under Chittagong Hill Development Board (CHDB) and 1 project under Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)- a total of 25 projects have been included without allocation in the ADP and thirteen more projects have also been included in the ADP to facilitate the collection of foreign aid.
In the ADP 2013-14, a total of 45 projects, which include 37 investment projects, 4 JDCF projects and 4 technical assistance projects, are going on under Ministry of Agriculture. An amount of Tk.111327.00 lakh (GOB Tk. 75031.00 lakh and Project Aid Tk. 36296.00 lakh) has been allocated to implement these on- going projects.
Sub-sector: Food
The main objective of development projects under the food sub-sector is to collect and distribute food grain in the public sector to face emergency situation, to stabilize prices of food grain, to establish safe food storage and to strengthen overall food management system for the farmers and consumers. For this purpose Government has planned to increase the storage capacity in the Sixth Five year Plan. To achieve these objectives 6 development/investment projects are under implementation which are included in the current ADP (2013-2014). The important objectives of these projects are (1) Procurement of food grains internally to meet the demand, (2) Construction of Food godowns/silos in different locations of the country for storage at internally and externally procured food grains; (3) Construction of small (up to 12 meter) bridges/culvert on rural roads; (4) Construction of Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters in the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh. Besides, three Technical Assistance projects named (1) National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme, Phase –II (b) Operations support to the employment generation program for the poorest (EGPP) and (3) Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Financing are being implemented. Moreover 5 new projects have been undertaken during Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2013-2014. The projects mentioned above have been formulated according to Government plan and therefore it is expected that these projects will be able to help in achieving the goal and objective of MDGS. It is worth to mention here that all the development projects have been taken under the sub-sector, according to the National Food Policy in order to reduce weakness/ drawbacks of the existing food management system. The main objective of the Food policy is to stabilize food price throughout the year. Food grains are being sold out to the poor in a fair price as well as distributed free of cost to the vulnerable women under VGD and VGF programmes which are important tool in reducing poverty. Total allocation of these projects are Tk. 92115.00 Lakh (GoB Tk. 80050.00 Lakh, Project aid Tk. 11065.00 Lakh and block allocation Tk. 1000.00 Lakh).
Sub-sector: Forest
Though the direct contribution of the forestry sector to GDP is not remarkable, the indirect contribution, especially its contribution to maintain the balance of the environment and ecology is enormous. In Bangladesh, the deforestation rate is about 0.30%. In the Forestry Master Plan, it is targeted to bring 20percent of the total land under forestry coverage by 2015. Social forestry has been given priority to increase the forestry resources as well as importance has been given to conserve the wildlife for Bio-diversity conservation. Moreover, co-management system involving the local people are being
adopted to manage the government declared protected areas and sanctuaries. For this reason, some important projects such as "Sundarban Environmental and Livelihood Security (SEALS)", "Strengthening Regional Co-operation for Wildlife Protection" "Bio-diversity Conservation and Eco-tourism Development in Bangladesh", "Restoration and Conservation of Bio-diversity in the Denuded Hills of Sitakunda, Mirsharai. Banshkhali, Inani Forest Area, Barind Dhamuirhat Sal Forest and Singra Sal Forest". "Integrated Protected Area Co-management" and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Gazipur" have been undertaken for the rehabilitation of the Sundarban, creation of green belt in the coastal area and Climate Change Resilient plantation in the other areas of the country. Besides, some projects have also been adopted to develop the environment and reduce air pollution.
In ADP 2013-2014, there are 18 on-going projects (investment 11 and TA 7) under the forest Sub-Sector. A total of Tk. 322.64 Crores has been earmarked in the current ADP in favour of these on-going projects (Tk. 81.55 Crores from domestic sources (GOB) and Tk. 241.09 Crores as Project Aid). Besides, there are 8 unapproved new projects which have been recommended for inclusion in the 2013-2014 ADP.
Sub-sector: Fisheries
Fisheries & Livestock sub-sector has been playing a vital role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. This sub-sector contributes 4.43% to the GDP and 22.21% to the total agricultural products. During the last three years, the average growth rate of this sub-sector is about 6.11%. However, 2.73% of the country's export earning comes from this sub-sector. Fish alone is supplementing about 60% of animal protein in our daily dietary requirement. About 10.50% of our total population depends on this sector directly or indirectly for their livelihood. If the production target is achieved, it will be possible to export fish and fishery products 2.0 lakh MT to 3.5 lakh MT in FY 2012-13 to 2020-21 respectively after meeting our internal demand.
For sustainable economic and social development of the fishermen several activities are taken in the projects of Annual Development Programme, such as safe prawn culture, increase of quality prawn and prawn production, enhancement of capture fisheries in the open water bodies through integrated fish fry release
In ADP 2013-2014, there are 30 ongoing projects under the fisheries sub-sector, of which 27 projects are Investment in nature and rest 3 are Technical Assistance. A total of Tk. 285.87 Crore has been proposed against these ongoing projects, of which Tk. 212.87 Crore from domestic sources (GOB) and Tk. 73.00 Crore as Project Aid (PA).
Sub-sector: Livestock
Livestock sub-sector has immense contribution to meet the daily protein requirments, cultivation, production and exports. The contribution of the livestock sub-sector in In 2010-11 FY, the production of milk, meat and eggs was 29.47 lakh tons, 19.86 lakh tons and 607.85 crore which has been increased at 34.63 lakh tons, 23.32 lakh tons and 730.38 crore respectively.
Important activities to be undertaken during 2013-14 in this sub-sector include: improvement of livestock health services at farmer's level to increase livestock production, dissemination of improved technology for poultry and livestock feed production, development of new and improved breed to enhance livestock production, increasing production of livestock vaccines to control diseases, initiating special programmes to control Avian Influenza, development of institutional capacities and undertaking research activities to develop new breed of poultry and livestock.
In ADP 2013-2014, there are 14 ongoing projects under the livestock sub-sector, of which 13 projects are Investment in nature and rest 1 is Technical Assistance. A total of Tk. 111.09 Crore has been proposed against these ongoing projects, of which Tk. 109.57 Crore from domestic sources (GOB) and Tk. 1.52 Crore as Project Aid (PA).
Sub-sector: Irrigation
It is essential to expand irrigation facilities for increasing agricultural production. Presently, irrigation facilities have been provided nearly to 64% of total cultivable land in the country. According to Six Five Year Plan (2011-2015), different projects have been taken in Irrigation Sub-Sector for expansion of irrigation facilities giving emphasis on utilization of surface water. Besides, for rational utilization of ground water, Command Area Development (CAD) Programs in addition to deep tube well installation, have been taken up for efficient utilization of surface as well as ground water for irrigation. At the same time different smaller sub-projects utilizing surface water are being implemented for expansion of irrigation facilities. By these, it is expected that 3% additional cultivable land will come under irrigation facility which will accelerate the agricultural production. Moreover, different income generating activities are being implemented in respect of irrigation facilities expansion in the rural area that are acting as a complementary role in poverty reduction.
In ADP one notable project under Irrigation sub-sector named "Participatory Small Scale Water Resources Sector Project (3rd Phase)", with the cost of 791.06 Crore Tk. for the period of January, 2010 to June, 2017 is under implementation in the 61 districts of the country. The aim of the project is to reduce the dependency on ground water with the active participation of the local community in water resources management and increase the optimum use of surface water.
In ADP 2013-2014, there are 32 on going projects (30 investment projects & 02 technical assistance projects) with allocation under the Irrigation Sub-sector. A total of Tk. 651.59 crore has been proposed against these on going projects of which Tk. 470.48 Crore from domestic sources (GOB) and Tk. 181.11 Crore as Project Aid (PA). Beside these, 18 unapproved new projects have been proposed to include in the ADP 20132014.
Salient Features of the Annual Development Programme 2013-14
Sector: Rural Development and Rural Institutions
In the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of 2013-2014 there are 86 projects under Rural Development and Rural Institutions sector. These inlude 79 investment projects, 4 technical assistance projects and 3 JDCF sponsored projects. An amount of TK. 6559.58 crores has been allocated in the current year ADP for these projects, out of which GOB contribution is Tk. 4224.68 crores (including JDCF 62.79 crores) and Project Aid is Tk. 2334.90 crores. This sector plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of the country.
In the light of the 6th Five Year Plan of the Government, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has set its targets to construct 2,000 km Upazilla road, 2,600 km Union road, construction/reconstruction of 19,687 meter bridge/culverts, 85 Nos Growth Centres, 50 Nos Union Parisad Complex, 145 Nos Cyclone Centre and 305 km Tree Plantation on each side of the rural roads within two financial years 2013-2014. It is expected that through the implementation of the projects included in the ADP 2013-2014, the above targets/objectives could be achieved to a great extent. For this, an amount of taka 6496.79 crores has been allocated in this ADP, out of which, GOB contribution is Tk.3347.44 crores and Project Aid is Tk. 1723.01 crores.
Rural Development sub-sector is implementing 22 Investment Projects, 4 Technical Assistance Projects and 3 JDCF sponsored Projects through Rural Development & Cooperative division, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Hill Tract Affairs and Prime Minister's office. For these development projects a total of Tk. 1408.72 crores is allocated in the Annual Development Programme of 2013-14, of which GOB contributes Tk. 814.45 crores, Project Aid is Tk. 611.89 crores and JDCF in Tk. 62.79 crores.
It is expected that a scope for creating income generating employment opportunity will be created through these projects under Rural Development sub-sector. Moreover, to boost up the standard of living of the rural people necessary activities will be implemented. As a result, it is expected that the projects will play a supporting role to alleviate poverty.
Salient Features of the Annual Development Programme 2013-14
Sector: Water Resources
The objective of the National Water Managemetn Plan are ensure progress towards fulfilling national goals of economic development, Proverty alleviation, food security, Public health & safty, decent standard of living for the people. For these objectives, water resources management policies of Bangladesh are guided by the followings: i. to take pragmatic steps for augmenting dry season flows of various common rivers through water sharing with the upper riparian countries; ii. to ensure safety of lives and properties and reduce flood damage by constructing necessary infrastructures in flood prone areas; Hi. to expand irrigation command area through development and construction of infrastructures based on appropriate technology; iv. to create an enabling environment for crop production through excavation of drainage canals and removing water logging; v. to reduce salinity and reclaim land in the southern part of the country by applying modern technology. vi. to conduct necessary studies and research on various aspects of water resources development. Definite development strategies and objectives have been set forth in compliance with these policies.
In preparing the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2013-2014, projects have been examined and reviewed in terms of national priority, implementation progress etc. and necessary allocation, as far as possible, has been provided to the priority projects. According to the development plan of the government, different projects are under implementation in Water Resources Sector for Flood Control, improve drainage condition and reduce vulnerability and to control erosion of major rivers and protect large & small towns. To protect wetland/Sundarbans from saline water intrusion & promote accretion of land from sea, a number of projects are being implemented under this sector. Besides, some projects in this sector have taken up for enhancing access of the poor to water & common properties resources. Moreover, different actives are being implemented by Ministry of Water Resource in the Medium Term Targets for ensuring Sustainable Management of Water Resources in a balanced & integrated way.