DHAKA : LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said development must be inclusive, equitable and rural-focused, stressing that sustainable prosperity cannot be achieved if villages are left behind while cities continue to advance. 

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme marking the 47th founding anniversary of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and the Second World Rural Development Day at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

Fakhrul said this year's observance was particularly significant as ambassadors and high commissioners from different Asia-Pacific countries joined the event for the first time.

Highlighting CIRDAP's role since its establishment in 1979 with the initiative of Bangladesh, other regional countries and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he said Bangladesh is currently chairing the CIRDAP Governing Council and has taken a leading role in seeking UN recognition for World Rural Development Day, observed annually on July 6.

Fakhrul said CIRDAP has played a vital role in strengthening regional cooperation, reducing poverty and enhancing institutional capacity across member states over the past 47 years. 

The organisation has implemented 215 research programmes and 350 capacity-building initiatives, trained more than 8,000 government officials and currently reached around 120,000 stakeholders through its digital network and publications.

Referring to emerging challenges facing rural communities, including climate change, digital transformation, food security and youth unemployment, he said CIRDAP is providing leadership in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. 

The organisation is also expanding its regional engagement by seeking to include 40 more Asia-Pacific countries as members and strengthening cooperation with the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).

Describing Bangladesh as a global model of rural development since independence, Fakhrul said the present government, which assumed office in February this year, has placed rural development at the centre of its agenda.

He said the government has waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for small farmers, benefiting more than 12 lakh farmers, and plans to transform villages into centres of administration, infrastructure and public services with support from institutions, including Ansar and VDP.

The minister also announced a five-year programme to re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals nationwide to restore irrigation facilities and increase agricultural productivity.

He said the government is providing monthly financial assistance to low-income women-headed families through the Family Card programme, while the proposed Farmer Card initiative will enable farmers to access subsidised agricultural inputs, credit, insurance and marketing facilities more easily.

Fakhrul said the government has also prioritised education and healthcare to strengthen the capacity of rural communities.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to bringing qualitative improvements to rural livelihoods under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and praised CIRDAP's contributions over the past 47 years while welcoming the international recognition of World Rural Development Day.