Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Dr. Jahangir Alam

Director, Dhaka School of Economics and Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Village
Wed, 4 Oct 23

Dr. Jahangir Alam: Director, Dhaka School of Economics and Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Village

Ensuring accurate data key to reforming ‍agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors

Interview

Thu, 19 Sep 24

Ensuring accurate data key to reforming ‍agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors

Dr. Jahangir Alam, a renowned agricultural economist and researcher, currently serves as the Director of the Dhaka School of Economics. Previously, he held the positions of Vice Chancellor at the University of Global Village and Director General of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute. Recently, due to severe flooding in 11 districts of the country, there has been extensive damage to the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors. To recover from this damage, the interim government needs to implement specific plans and measures. He has discussed these issues in an interview with 'Views Bangladesh,' conducted by K.M. Zahid.

Post-flood agricultural rehabilitation should be the top priority

Politics and Bureaucracy

Sat, 31 Aug 24

Post-flood agricultural rehabilitation should be the top priority

The southeastern, central, and northeastern regions of Bangladesh have been devastated by the most severe flood in recent memory. This sudden flood has already inundated 11 districts, with its effects also felt in the surrounding areas. Approximately 5.7 million people have been directly affected, with around 1 million trapped by the water. So far, 23 people have lost their lives. Many others are suffering from extreme hunger and disease. Those who managed took shelter in relatively high places, markets, schools, embankments, major roads or railway stations. For those who couldn’t escape, their tears have merged with the floodwaters, and their homes have been submerged. Rice fields are under water, and ponds have become deep pools. Fish, ducks, chickens, and livestock have all been washed away. They are suffering from a shortage of food, drinking water, medicine, and clothing, spending sleepless nights in the flood-affected areas. Some people look up to the sky, calling out to their Creator and Sustainer.

Obstacles to achieving food security

Politics and Bureaucracy

Sat, 24 Aug 24

Obstacles to achieving food security

Food grain production in Bangladesh has been continuously increasing. Over the past 53 years since independence, the production of food grains has grown at an average annual rate of about 3 percent. Despite this, we still import a large amount of food grains every year, including rice, wheat, and maize, among other products. The annual import of cereal grains alone amounts to 7 to 8 million tons. When other agricultural products such as pulses, oilseeds, sugar, spices, and dairy products are included, the total import amounts to 9 to 10 million tons. The expenditure on imports is around 80 to 90 thousand crore taka. Nevertheless, there is still a food security deficit in the country, and food inflation is rising.

Interim government in the journey of dreams

Politics and Bureaucracy

Tue, 13 Aug 24

Interim government in the journey of dreams

On August 8, a new interim government took office. The surrounding environment is gradually returning to normal. There is an increase in foot traffic in offices and shops, and vehicle movement on the roads is rising. After weeks of instability, the general public is now breathing a sigh of relief. Prices of essential goods in the market are decreasing, and incidents of theft, robbery, looting, and disorder in neighborhoods have diminished. Public safety is improving, and peace is returning to everyday life. Ensuring the safety of people's lives and property, as well as maintaining peace and economic stability, is now our top priority. We must guarantee protection for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity. We need to create an environment free from fear and social pressure. Even now, students in our neighborhoods are organizing patrols, cleaning up street litter, managing traffic on the roads, and monitoring the markets

Austerity Budget 2024-25

Economics

Sun, 9 Jun 24

Austerity Budget 2024-25

With a commitment to building a happy, prosperous, advanced, and Smart Bangladesh, Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali has presented the new budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 in the parliament. This is his first budget, the 25th budget of the Awami League government, and the 54th budget of Bangladesh. It is also the 21st budget under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The size of the budget has increased rapidly during this government's tenure. In the fiscal year 2009-10, the total budget was BDT 1,10,523 crore. After 15 years, in the fiscal year 2024-25, it has increased by 621.12% to BDT 7,97,000 crore. The proposed new budget is 4.62% higher than the original budget of the current fiscal year and 11.56% higher than the revised budget. The size of this budget is 14.20% of GDP. The original budget size for the current fiscal year was BDT 7,61,785 crore, which was 15.21% of GDP. The size of the first budget after independence was BDT 786 crore. The proposed new budget is 1,014 times higher than that budget.

Give highest priority to agriculture in budget

Economics

Wed, 29 May 24

Give highest priority to agriculture in budget

In recent years, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress across various sectors, with agriculture being the most visibly advanced. Previously, Bangladesh was a country with a food deficit, importing an average of 15 to 20 lakh tons of food annually. During the Liberation War, agricultural production was severely disrupted, resulting in a food deficit of 30 lakh tons in 1971-72, which was about 30% of the total production. Currently, the deficit has decreased to below 15%.