on wider scale. Virtually, mechanization in Bangladesh agriculture started in
1960s with the introduction of tractor, power tiller, and deep tube well,
shallow tube well and low lift pumps. This paper indicates brief overview of
current status of agriculture mechanization in Bangladesh and agro
machinery sector in Bangladesh. The agro machinery sector in Bangladesh
consists mostly of a large number of small enterprises, producing agro
machinery, spare parts and offering repair services. Currently, available agro
machinery and tools are such as seed drill, pedal thresher, auto thresher,
shallow tube well, grain dryer, spare parts of Power tiller and tractor,
withering machine, hand pump, centrifugal pump, insecticides sprayer,
crankshaft, gear & pinion, piston & piston ring, liner, spare parts of diesel
Irrigation engine. This machinery sector primarily uses conventional
technology (welding, lathe, milling, shaper and boring machine) and locally
available cast iron and ship scarp in its production process. Local agro
machinery sector face some problems. Poor buying capacity of farmers,
inadequate skilled manpower, backward technology, limited access to bank
loan, weak branding, absence of clustering and un-favourable tariff
treatment on imported machines and raw materials are the key problems to
produce quality and large quantity of agro machinery. This study suggests
some necessary actions (forming farmers group, technology up-gradation,
funding availability, development of cluster, more skilled manpower) for
solving the present problems in agro machinery sector. Local efficient agro
machinery sector will create the hope of extensive mechanization in the
years to come, leading to sustainable agriculture development and food
security.
2. Importance of privatization of Artificial Insemination (AI) for
improvement of cattle in Bangladesh
S. M. Alauddin and Dr. Faruk-Ul-Islam, Practical Action Bangladesh
The importance of privatization of Artificial Insemination (AI) is revealed
highly indispensable in improving the livestock resources of the country in
the study conducted by Practical Action Bangladesh in 2011. But, the
country’s restrictions and statutory control on expansion of AI is the major
barrier for expansion of AI services. Low productive local cattle, low
production of milk and meat and low investment are the major challenges
for improvement of the livestock sector. Low production and growth in the
sector is mainly because of the country’s low productive local cattle variety.
The production of milk in the country is only about 20% against its total
demand, while, the rest is imported. The coverage of AI service is only 43% in
the country (33% by Government and 10% by private sector/NGOs) while,
the 57% remains un-served. Privatisation of AI services and its extension may
Poverty and Development: Realities of Grassroots 11