Strategies for Technological Transfer in Agriculture

Q. What strategies may be followed in respect of technological transfer in agriculture sector of Bangladesh?

From previous question it is showed that without removing basic problems exists in agricultural sector of Bangladesh, rapid technology transfer would not be possible. There may be followed some strategies in respect of technological transfer in agriculture sector of Bangladesh. A few of them are given below:

• There should be some training programs for helping farmers to identify and overcome production, farm management and marketing problems at farm level through the exchange of information among farmers, extension staff, input suppliers, credit agencies and marketing agents, use of existing technology, for example, through more efficient use of feed, fertilizer or irrigation etc.
• Provides information to agricultural research institutions on farmer’s production constraints so that appropriate basic, applied or adaptive research can be carried out to address them;
• Improve education level or technology adaptation power of the rural poor.
• Technology transfer through intensive training or development of human resources. For this purpose, Bari, Irri, Bina, Cerdi and other agricultural colleges and universities may take concerted efforts under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture.
• The rate of interest for bank loan for investment in agriculture should be reduced, and the spread should not be more than 3% without service charges.
• The Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund of Bangladesh Bank should create more opportunities for investment in agriculture.
• Set up more modern research outfits with tissue culture faculties in addition to the facilities now available at Bari, or strengthening the existing facilities.
• The subsidy for fertilizer and seed should be increased reasonably.
• Duty rebate and cash incentive facilities for the export of agriculture and horticulture products should more pragmatic.
• Investment for diversification and growth of high-value crop will be rewarding. There is enough scope for production of mushroom, broccoli, baby corn, French bean, capsicum, orchid and other ornamental plants.
• Establishment of the EPZ for agro-processing industries. The EPZ for agriculture products established at Ishwardi should be made functional with all available facilities.
• There exists ample scope to derive edible oil from rice bran at Natore, Chapai Nawabgonj and Dinajpur. A large number of medium-size rice bran oil processing mills could be established at Rajshahi division. Besides, there is enough opportunity to export fine and aromatic rice like Kataribhog, Kalizira Chinigura etc. the production of which could increase with incentives.
• The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) may also be reorganized for providing training on the operation and maintenance of agricultural and non-farm machinery particularly for the high school drop-outs.
• BADC may also establish storage and processing facilities for perishable products, and invest in developing a fleet of modern transport with refrigeration facilities, the services of which may be rented-out to rural traders and entrepreneurs.

Thus by considering the above strategies, it may be possible to remove the problems arising with technology adaptation as a means of rapid technology transfer in agriculture sector of Bangladesh.