The New Nation - Internet Edition

General Moeen U Ahmed, ndc, psc

Bangladesh, our beloved motherland, is the land of a brave nation - a land with enchanting greeneries and beautiful landscape. Natural and man made calamities take away all our belongings time and again and put us in the crossroad of life and death. Still, our courageous people resort to struggle for their existence almost in bare hand. They don't look for mercy nor do they care for any support. This struggle shapes their life which they definitely win. These victorious people are our inspiration. We fought the liberation war and achieved independence with this motivation and inspiration. In last 37 years since independence we at times were drowned in deep frustration and at times sparkled with the ray of hope. But our journey never ended. Neither shall it end now. The promised election shall be held by the end of this year. Like all other common people I also hope that the new, honest elected leadership will lead the country towards development through the desired path. Bangladesh shall rise with new dreams, new realities, new thinking and new rhythms, The whole world shall admire a new Bangladesh. But there are some crisis for a country like us those need immediate attention and any delay in addressing those may retard progress. One such crisis is the Food Security. This is a country of 150 million with equal number of mouth to feed. Government is responsible to feed all of them. But how far is it possible to carry out this huge responsibility on the part of the Government alone with its limited capability? The quantum of arable land is plummeting in proportion to the increase of the number of feeding mouths in every passing day. It has to drain out all its ability in providing food for the increased number of populace. How far a poor country like ours, will be able to face this challenge of food security, while the entire world is also confronted to the same threat? We ourselves will have to find out the solution of this problem- we are to ensure our food security ourselves.

If we cannot produce food grains as per our requirements, then certainly it will create a deficiency and eventually a crisis. For the replenishment, we shall have to depend upon the international market but sometimes this dependency may wreck havoc on us. As it happened in the year 2007, when, the production of our staple food rice registered an alarming decline worldwide, the leading rice producing countries of the world had imposed bans on exports to ensure their respective food securities. Fortunately, despite the pressure of our vast population we had tackled the problem without any major disastrous upshot. On this score of complacency, we cannot sit idle to let things to take its own course. Without wasting time we shall have to mull over this issue with all but deep understanding and seriousness. In that we shall have to ensure the optimum utilization of our land along with the augmentation of the cultivable land. Concurrently, productivity has to be scaled up by utilizing modern tools and techniques of cultivation using high yielding variety seeds (HYVS). Above all, we shall have to make headway with new approach focusing on the problem of alarming growth of population.

Increase of the area of cultivable land: In 1971 the population was 70 million and the area of cultivable land was 99 lac hectares but at present population came up to 150 million and land area plummeted to 66 lac hectares. So it stands out that within last 36 years the number of population got doubled but the area of land has reduced to two third. The cultivable land is waning for variety of reasons. A good portion of lands get devoured owing to river erosions, raising homesteads, establishing of mills and factories, setting up of petrol pumps, CNG Stations and even a certain extent of the land is wasted in setting up mobile phone towers. The village roads took serpentine shape owing to greediness of the vested quarters to reap more profit by increasing the project length but spoiling the valuable land.

The same size of land was divided and sub-divided generations after generations and accordingly demarcation was made by isle and only for this, a substantial portion of land mass is being wasted and the question that haunts us as to what extent of land in this way is being wasted! The country like Singapore increased their area of usable landmass through filling of the sea by imported earth/soil whereas we are wasting this precious wealth of nature out of sheer negligence and carelessness. Nevertheless, this wastage of land could have been checked, had we had proper planning and being more favourably sensitive to the issue.

A significant part of lands could be saved if all mobile phone operators were accommodated/ clustered in a single mobile tower without disturbing the telecommunication. Community based cultivation may pave the way to save the lands being wasted by isle. If that is not possible, we shall have to opt for proper utilization of isle land. I have seen the massive cultivations of beans in Chittagong area in the isle land. If this type of cultivation could be spread up all over the country, it could save additional land for cultivation of other crops. We have to understand that assimilation of such smaller portion of lands may contribute significantly to increase the area of arable land as adage goes "Drops of water make the ocean". For saving the cultivable land we shall have to be habituated to community living. At this moment, if it is not possible to construct multistoried building in rural areas we can opt for making two storey mud-built houses by applying indigenous technologies which in turn will save a good extent of lands. I came across this kind of homesteads in Gazipur and Modhupur. Besides, may be, time has come to enact some laws restraining desirous people to build residential houses, mills and factories on the cultivable lands. In this way we shall have to secure our future by utilizing every inch of it. We should not forget that there are causes beyond our control like green house effect, which is likely to expose us to the dire strait of vulnerable future. Although, the developed world is responsible but we shall have to be the victims of the bad consequences. I came to know from the President of Iceland that increase in temperature because of greenhouse effect will cause the melting of ice of Greenland and as a result the sea level will rise by 7 meters. In that situation, it is better to make research for assessment as to what extent of land area of Bangladesh will remain on the surface rather than to figure out what extent of land area will get submerged under water.

Multipurpose use of land: Ours is a small country having limited cultivable land and even the optimum use of every inch of land of it is not enough for this vast population. We shall have to evolve the mechanism for extracting the entire potentials of the land. I have observed in Sylhet area where no other paddy is cultivated other than 'Aman'. I got the reply of my query that their forefathers did not cultivate, so they do not feel like doing so. They did not do as it was not necessary at their time. But our necessity dictates us and so we shall have to do it. We shall have to convert the land of one crop into two to three crops and if need be, realignment has to be made in the pattern of crops. Under the supervision of the army the crop pattern has been changed and one crop land has been converted into two to three crops land; in a year time which has made it possible to bring 12 thousand hectares of additional land in Faridpur district and 43 thousand hectares of additional land in Sylhet area under the network of cultivation. In Faridpur, additional 15 thousand M-Tons of rice was produced by cultivating 'Ropa Amon' along with Jute. In this extraordinary practice, prior to two to three weeks of harvesting jute, the farmers implanted the Amon crops so, after harvesting of jute the land become dedicated for Amon Paddy. The root left out of the harvested jute worked as a substitute of fertilizer. As a result 76% of one crop land of Faridpur district had been transformed into two to three crops land. So if we whole-heartedly endeavor , this change can be ushered in all the 64 districts of the country . What is the way out other than this for the country of limited resource base?

Introduction of High Yielding Variety Seeds (HYVS): For more production, we have to depend on the nature and on the other hand it is imperative to ensure the supply of good seeds, required pesticides as well as proper management of fertilizer. Though hybrid paddy is highly productive but its seeds are scarce and costly and in the same vein costly fertilizer and the pesticides are required to be adjusted with the prevailing climate. Otherwise the production will decline alarmingly and the farmers will face the enormous loss. If the indigenously invented high yielding variety but cheap paddy is cultivated throughout the country instead of hybrid, that will increase the production and at the same time it will enable the farmers to preserve the seeds which will lessen dependency on the multinational companies for seeds. The creation of seed bed of good and high quality does not require that much highly educated scientists. Haripada Kapali, the inventor of "Hari Dhan" hails from Jhenaidha who is a very ordinary person and even he could not afford a quilt to withstand the chilliness of winter season nor did he have any capital. Despite all, he proved that "We can" by inventing the "Hari Dhan" through relentless efforts, dedication and sincerity. Still in agriculture we follow the methods of primitive age. This primitive method requires us to put in much efforts and labours resulting unsatisfactory production. In the general state of condition, food grain can be produced @2.5 tons per acre while the production can be augmented up to 10 to 12 tons per acre through 'tissue culture'. In this way we have to make sure to reap home the benefit in every sphere of agriculture by following the modern methods of cultivation.

Easy accessibility of agricultural inputs: The farmers who provide us food at the cost of their own burning under the scorching sun and drenched by rainfall under the open sky, have to struggle every moment to get farming materials and tools. Our farmers are the helpless victims of high interest rate charged by the money lenders. They have to surrender to the deceitfulness of the middlemen and have to procure fertilizer at the peril of their lives. How unfortunate our country is! We feel so much for our land but at the same time we do not hesitate to spoil the fertility of the land by polluting the fertilizer by mixing the harmful elements. On the other hand, the farmers by taking intensive care make this soil fertile again to supply food for the entire nation. At any cost we shall have to save the farmers because they are our life line. All necessary measures will have to be taken to make the agricultural inputs cheaper and easily accessible to the farmers. In this endeavor the armed forces had taken initiative to reach out the fertilizers to every Upazilla and as a result there was no fertilizer crisis during the last year. The existence of money lenders has been conventionally in vogue. The money lenders make contract with the farmers under which the later will have to pay off the interest at a hefty rate per month and as per the agreement whatever quantity of crops will be harvested will have to be sold to them. What an awful system to exploit the helpless farmers! This helplessness of the farmers has touched me and made me concerned about them for which I arranged for repayment of the loans of the farmers by selling their crops at double price through the armed forces. And at the same time, I arranged to give out loans to them at the interest rate of 4% by the concerned lending agencies. I am well aware that this is a very much temporary arrangement and our people's representatives will have to come forward with some sustainable solutions. We shall have to save our farmers at any cost for our own interest because it has become an axiomatic truth that the survival of Bangladesh depends on the survival of the farmers.

The accountability of the persons responsible for agricultural development: The structure of agriculture directorate have branched out up to the grass root levels. At the Zilla & Upazilla levels there are Agriculture officers & staffs who do not appear to be accountable and responsible . The agricultural development of a country is not possible by individual initiative alone. It requires the patronization of the government machinery. But in our country agriculture development directorate has not succedded in making any effective contribution in this regard. I am aware that there are many laborious, honest & dedicated officers and staffs in this directorate. I feel their good deeds should get due recognition. All those industrious people should be brought to the lime light by awarding them good posting, promotion and imparting foreign trainings. Only then others will find the source of inspiration to demonstrate the same level of accomplishment. The DCs and UNOs at the field levels of the administration will have to be involved directly in the total process.

Change in Food Habit: Food habit is a very important issue, so far, the food security is concerned. The food habit of the population of a country is determined by the easily produced and easily available items of foods. Unfortunately, the most precious crop of the world is our staple food. For this we get panicked whenever there emerges food scarcity as our limited resources are not enough to procure from the international markets. Moreover 60% of our budget allocation is spent out in importing the bare necessities of the daily life and any expenditure in addition to this creates enormous pressure on our total budget. So our all efforts should be directed to increase the production. If we take account of rice and wheat our annual demand is 2.6 crore M/T. This year due to bumper production of 'Boro Crops' we have produced 2.59 crore M/T of food grains. As per this calculation our yearly shortage of food grain stands out 1 lac M/T only. But in this natural calamity prone country it is very difficult to make arithmetical calculation. Last year the devastating cyclone Sidr wrecked havoc and destroyed 18 lac M/T of food grain just within a night. That is why a vast section of the population always remain dreaded of the risk of food security. This situation warrants us to think intensively for the change of our food habits. Our political leaders and media will have to come up with prudence and vision. The most vulnerable time of our country is from the month of January to April. Because the 'Boro Paddy' comes to the market towards the last phase of April and continues up to the mid of June. Therefore, the supply of rice declines from the month of January to April. Potatoes are reaped home from the month of February to April and at this time the market remains glut with potatoes and substantial amount of which is wasted in the absence of arrangement for preservation. If we increase the potato consumption in this phase of the year, it will not only save the farmers but also will ease the pressure on rice. During the last year there was a bumper production of potato and that is why my slogan was "Take potato and save the farmers". If potato happens to be the staple food of a developed country like Holland then why we should not increase the consumption of potato along with rice for the specific period of the year. That is why my idea was "Let potato be on your daily food menu with the rice". At that time alongside the increase of the quantity of potato in the daily food menu of the soldiers of Bangladesh Army, I myself also increased the consumption of potato. Men explore every possible opportunity for survival and I in the same vein hold the view that a minor change in food habit will not save only the farmers but will also save the country at large. In Africa, people have learnt the mechanism of making atta and bread from one kind of potato namely 'Kasaba' and they have learnt this technique as necessity is the mother of invention and for them ultimately for survival. For our survival we should also follow the same not only the round potato, we should also explore the substitute foods right from now along with sweet potato.

Fishery cultivation: Bangladesh is a riverine country and fishery is the most potential sub-sector of the economy. With the small initiative, this industry can be converted into export oriented one and thus the economic performance of the country can be shored up. Iceland was one of the poverty ridden countries in Europe and they attained remarkable progress by only utilizing the water resources. And if they can why can't we? Our rivers and rivulets have covered the entire country just like the net. We shall have to convert our rivers into resource. An initiative was taken in Ghoramara of Chandpur to cultivate fish by floating cage under the supervision of Army which attained enormous success. Mr. Baki of Fishery Department provided technical supports in implementation of this project. Like him, those who are interested to serve to the cause of the country beyond the periphery of their routine works, should be encouraged and their achievements need to be recognized. Only then will Bangladesh will be able to produce more quantity of fish and will contribute towards the reinforcement of food security and in the same way will keep the economy vibrant by increasing exports.

Searching of substitute of edible oil: Bangladesh spends a large amount of its foreign exchange every year in importing edible oil. In our country there is a huge gap between demand and production of edible oil. It reveals from the statistics of agriculture directorate that at present 3,50,000 tons of oilseeds are produced in the land area of 4,50,000 hectares and wherefrom 1,45,000 M/T edible oil are extracted. In the present context, for meeting the yearly demand of 6,00,000 M/T edible oil of the country, we have to incur expense of Tk. 4000 million to meet up the import bills. The cultivation of palm can make epoch making contribution in mitigating this scarcity. Like other vegetable oils this cholesterol free product can also remove the deficit of vitamin A & E because of its nutritional value content. Alongside the commercial cultivation, implanting of one or two palm trees on the courtyards of dwelling houses will be conducive to meeting the yearly demand of edible oil of the concerned families.

Population Control: For the sake of ensuring food security, we shall have to attach due importance to the problem of population boom. In the past, there was much publicity to make people aware of the importance of population control but for some reasons this issue is not getting priority treatment now-a-days. Nevertheless, if population boom cannot be controlled, no mechanism for food security will yield any result. If the present trend of population growth is allowed to continue unabatedly then in year 2037 the number of population will shoot up to 210 Million. Wherefrom food will be sourced for this additional population of 60 million and where will be the space for their habitation? It is disheartening to note that for making land for habitation of this population every year the arable land is declining at the rate of 1%. This information presages alarming situation from any viewpoints. China has succeeded in controlling their population growth by following one child policy but we cannot succeed even by following the policy of two children irrespective of gender. Our failure to control the population has made our existence vulnerable. This state of condition is not acceptable and by any means we shall have to attain success in this area. The population control is not possible only by framing laws and for getting rid of this situation we shall have to take wholehearted and united initiative.

I started this write-up with a few words about the valorous people of the country and I want to draw conclusion by making an earnest appeal to these people. This is a country of immense possibilities, the glorified history of this country is written through the sacrifice of innumerable courageous sons of this soil. These people can face the man-made and natural disasters with courage and unlimited patience and thus they can help the country to stand up again by keeping our heads up. Last year the people of different countries of the world became violent in protest apprehending the food scarcity but our people have faced this disastrous situation with unprecedented tolerance.

These people make me dream of a better future. This is my wholehearted conviction that these people will take this country to the dreamy path. The main key of all our endeavors in quest of that path is in their hands. Whatever we do will end in fiasco if these courageous people do not come forward to elect the right leadership of the country and that leadership will have to ensure all aspect of our security. Under their leadership the country will go ahead towards the path of progress and prosperity. Like everyone I am, indeed, optimistic of my country's progress and prosperity- I am looking forward to seeing it in the days ahead.