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Introduction
Economy of
Bangladesh draws its strength and stability mostly from agriculture.
Efficient management of agriculture is very crucial for her
socio-economic development.
With the rapid increase in population and very high pressure on land in
Bangladesh, which is one of the thickly populated countries of the
world, it is no longer possible to expect the traditional farming system
to evolve into an intensive system of production.
Increased productivity of agriculture requires continued support of
modern agricultural research, its usefulness, timeliness and relevance.
This has led to the development of a national agricultural research
system which uses the tools of modern science to help farmers in the
productive use of natural resources.
To be responsive to the needs of the time, agricultural research has to
be very effectively managed and directed to the pressing problems
confronting the society. The primes of bountiful harvests from
agriculture are realized only, if research is well planned and well
managed. The application of management concepts to research involves
close coordination and intensification of research and research related
activities. It means relevance and applicability of research results to
the countrys present and projected requirements. These hallmarks,
infused with dedication, commitment, competence, creativity and
character of people in the science and technology community, are vital
to any national research enterprise. They are even more vital to a
country like Bangladesh dealing with the precarious balance between
food/energy and population growth.
Functions of BARC
Functions of BARC
in summary are:
Planning,
developing and funding agricultural research programmes;
Establishing a system of priorities for agricultural research
and providing mechanisms for updating these priorities;
Providing the mechanism for assessment of progress and
updating the programmes;
Coordination and evaluation of agricultural research
programmes;
Studying the human resources position in agricultural research
and developing appropriate training programmes;
Liaison with other countries in matter of scientific research;
Holding national and international conferences, seminars and
workshops;
Publication and dissemination of scientific information; and
Transfer of technology and monitoring.
The System Today
As the national
agricultural research system of Bangladesh enters 1997, it is composed
of over 1500 scientists working at ten primary research organizations:
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Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur,
Gazipur, Bangladesh |
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Basic, applied and adaptive research on cereals (other than
Bangladesh) rice, pulses, oilseeds, vegetable, horticultural
crops etc. |
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Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Joydebpur,Gazipur,
Bangladesh |
Basic, applied and adaptive research on rice. |
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Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI),
Sher-e-Bangla,Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Basic, applied and adaptive research on jute production and
utilization |
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Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (FRI),Mymensingh,Bangladesh
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Marine and Fresh-water fisheries research |
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Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka
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Basic and applied research on cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats,
poultry, duck etc. |
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Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong,
Bangladesh |
Forestry and Agroforestry research |
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Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA),
Mymensingh,Bangladesh |
Application on nuclear technology in agriculture
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Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI),
Ishurdi,Bangladesh |
Applied and adaptive research on sugarcane |
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Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI),
Srimangal,Bangladesh |
Applied and adaptive research on tea |
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Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI), Sher-e-Bangla
Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Soil survey and soil classification |
Besides,
BARC has linkages with the following institutes/Universities:
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU);
Dhaka University (DU);
Chittagong University (CU);
Rajshahi University (RU);
Banglades Academy of Rural Development (BARD), Comilla, and
Rural Development Academy, Bogra.
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BARC is organized into three main bodies:
1. The Governing Body
2. The Executive Council
3. The Secretariat.
The policy direction of BARC
are set by a 26 member Governing Body which consists of
Minister-in-charge of the Ministry/Division dealing with
agriculture, Minister-in-charge of the Ministry/Division dealing
with fisheries and livestock, Minister-in-Charge of the
Ministry/Division dealing with forestry and
environment/Secretary-in-Charge of the Ministry/Division dealing
with agriculture, Secretary-in-charge of the Ministry/Division
dealing with fisheries and livestock, Secretary-in-charge of the
Ministry/Division dealing with forestry and
environment/Secretary-in-Charge of Ministry/Division dealing with
commerce, heads of the component institutes and other agencies,
three eminent scientists and two public representatives.
Executive Chairman the Executive Chairman of BARC, the chief
executive officer, serves as the Member-Secretary of the Governing
Body. He is responsible for the proper execution of the decision of
the Council and overall administration and implementation of the
programs of BARC. He is assisted by the Member-Directors.
Member Directors There are nine Member-Directors, one each in crops;
forestry; soils; fisheries; livestock; agricultural engineering;
agricultural economics and rural sociology; planning and evaluation;
and administration and finance. They have responsibilities within
specific fields or areas. With the support of their technical
staffs, they are responsible for identifying problem areas and
setting priorities for research; for examining project proposals and
reports, and keeping abreast of the progress of research; for
monitoring and evaluating research programmes, identifying
deficiencies, suggesting means of improvement; for developing
inter-institutional projects and fostering cooperation among
scientists and research institutes; for preparing reports and
proposals; and for arranging seminars, workshops and international
cooperation in their respective fields.
The programme - areas in
which BARCs projects are developed generally include Crop
Improvement; Soil and Water Management and Land Use; Plant
Protection; Plant Nutrition; Animal and Fish Production; Animal
health; Farming System; Post Harvest Technology; Forestry; and
Socio-Economics.
Keeping in view the purposes and priorities of research set by
BARC, the projects are prepared by the scientific community
involved in agriculture research. The time it takes from
identification of a problem are/idea for a project to its from
a few months to a year.
A number of criteria would have to be considered for an
agricultural research activity expecting BARC funding. Details
are not given here, but a project to be eligible for BARC
support should:
i. Respond to the
national development goals and priorities;
ii. Be directed at important problems;
iii. Involve participation by competent scientists; and
iv. Have adequate facilities for implementation.
Funding
Government financing is
generally the regular source of funds that BARC receives for the
implementation of its various programme activities. Outside sources,
such as, bilateral country aids and grants, foundation supports and
loans from World Bank, Asian Development Bank etc. also tapped and
received.
BARC spends its funds on contract research project grants to
research institutes, equipment, books and journals, minor capital
works and services, scholarships, seminars, and salaries and general
running expenses.
In addition to BARC support, each national agricultural research
institute receives annual budgetary allocations from the government
for the implementation of its approved regular programmes. Each
institute may also receive outside assistance, but such assistance
is negotiated through BARC for its concurrence.
Reporting Research
Results
BARC publications include
scientific monographs, bulletins, technical papers, annual reports
and technical directories. BARC also publish the Bangladesh Journal
of Agriculture. The list of available publications may be obtained
on request form BARC headquarters.
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