DHAKA, April 26, 2017(BSS) – The government has framed a roadmap for complete mechanization of agriculture sector by 2041 as gradual shift of manual manpower to different sectors exposed agriculture to scarcity of labour force, officials said here yesterday.
“The farm mechanization has become indispensable due to quick transition of farm labours into industries, transport, construction and other sectors which is creating a critical situation in the agriculture sector,” agriculture secretary Mohammad Mainuddin Abdullah told a function in the capital.
He said the government set a roadmap to mechanize entirely the agriculture sector in phases by 2041.
Abdullah made the comment while handing over to farmers 6,004 farm equipment procured from China under an agreement signed on December 2015, held at Khamarbari.
Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang was present.
Under the roadmap, the secretary said, the government would implement 12 programmes in phases within 2021, 2031 and 2041.
“The programmes include research and development, capacity increasing of the farm machine manufacturers, innovation of suitable farm machines and increased the capacity of the stakeholders.
He said in line with the agriculture ministry suggestions, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reduced the import duty on spare parts of 14 agriculture machineries.
“The initiative will help to manufacture farm machines in cheaper price by the local entrepreneurs with an aim to distribute it among the farmers,” Abdullah said.