ZCZC
BSS-14
CABINET-POLICY-AGRICULTURE
Cabinet okays draft of Jatiya Krishi Niti-2018
DHAKA, July 9, 2018 (BSS) – The cabinet has given approval to the draft of
the Jatiya Krishi Niti-2018 with an objective of making the agriculture
sector safe and profitable for farmers and attaining food and nutrition
security for the people.
The approval was given in the weekly meeting of the cabinet held at
Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Md. Shafiul Alam
said the new policy has been framed by upgrading the previous policy of 2013,
setting up the prime goal of making the agriculture sector safe and
profitable, and attaining food and nutrition security in the country.
The cabinet also has given approval in principle to the draft of the
Bangladesh Shishu Academy Act, Alam said.
The cabinet secretary said Jatiya Krishi Niti-2018 is an overarching and
detailed one which included the issues not addressed in the previous policy.
The purpose of the policy is to increase the productivity of the crops,
enhance income of the farmers, diversify of crops, produce nutritious and
safe food, develop marketing system and ensure food safety through efficient
use of profitable agriculture and natural resources and socioeconomic
development, he said.
Alam said the issues of nanotechnology, standard seed production and urban
agricultural services, agro-machinery services, innovative extension
technology, setting up of agriculture technology block, year-round production
were included in the policy.
The policy also included a provision of taking agriculture extension
programs for disaster prone regions and stressed farming on cooperative
system, he said
The cabinet secretary said the Bangladesh Shishu Academy Act, 2018 will
replace the existence ‘Bangladesh Shishu Academy Ordinance, 1976,’
promulgated during military regime,
The Supreme Court in a verdict in 2010 annulled all laws framed by the
military rulers asking the government to replace those with new ones in
Bangla. Accordingly the Shishu Academy Ordinance became defunct and the new
law will replace it.
As per new draft, a Director General (DG) will remain as the chief
executive of the academy. The academy will have its head office in Dhaka, and
with permission of the government, the academy can open its branches at
divisions, districts and upazilas.
A 17-member Management Board headed by a chairman would operate the
activities of the academy.
The management board will be constituted comprising of DGs of Bangla
Academy and Bangladesh Shilpa Kala Academy, Dean of Fine Arts Department of
Dhaka University, a representative of the Ministry of Women and Children
affairs equivalent to a joint secretary status, representatives of Finance
Division, Social Welfare Ministry, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs
Ministry, Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Health Ministry, ICT Division,
Shishu Kalyan Parishad, and four distinguished persons who has contribution
to welfare of children. Out of four distinguished persons two must be women.
The academy will give honorary fellowship to distinguished persons having
outstanding contribution to language, literature, science, arts or any
special social areas and working for overall welfare and development of the
children.
Chairman of the board of the academy and its Director General would be
appointed by the government as per rules.
BSS/AKH/GMR/1530 hrs