The economy of Bangladesh is mainly based on Agriculture. Livestock plays a crucial role in the agricultural economy. About 36 percent of the total animal protein comes from the livestock products in our every day life. It also helps to earn foreign exchange by exporting hides & skins every year. In addition to mechanical cultivation still being cultivating by bovine animal. Countries 25 percent peoples are directly engaged in livestock sector, and 50 percent peoples are partly associated in livestock production. Last year, the contribution of livestock sub-sector to the GDP was 2.95 percent, which was estimated about 17.32 percent GDP to agriculture. Last year, the growth of livestock in GDP was 7.23 percent.

The economy of Bangladesh is mainly based on Agriculture. Livestock plays a crucial role in the agricultural economy. About 36 percent of the total animal protein comes from the livestock products in our every day life. It also helps to earn foreign exchange by exporting hides & skins every year. In addition to mechanical cultivation still being cultivating by bovine animal. Countries 25 percent peoples are directly engaged in livestock sector, and 50 percent peoples are partly associated in livestock production. Last year, the contribution of livestock sub-sector to the GDP was 2.95 percent, which was estimated about 17.32 percent GDP to agriculture. Last year, the growth of livestock in GDP was 7.23 percent.

Table-1. Contribution of Livestock & Poultry on National Economy:

Source: Economic Review-2006

According to the last statistics of Livestock and Poultry population for the year 1993-94, the number was 3 crore 52 lac and 12 crore 28 lac respectively. In 2006-07 the population of Livestock and Poultry raised to 4 crore 75 lac and 24 crore 60 lac respectively.

Table-2- Livestiock & Poultry population in Bangladesh

The density of Livestock and Poultry population per unit of land is high in Bangladesh, compared to other countries of the world. From the year 1998-99, the production of milk, meat (beef, mutton and chicken) and egg were increasing on a regular basis with a lower increasing rate which has reached to a higher rate in the year 2005-06. Table -3 shows the production of livestock products for the last 9 years in our country.

Table-3- Production of Milk, Meat & Egg.

In order to continue the previous success it has taken initiative to strengthen the dairy sector. Taka ten crore has already been distributed to 15 thousand registered private dairy farms as incentive. In addition to that, training programe has been orginized to reduce the feeds and forage scarcity through Animal Nutrition & Technology Transfer Project

The per capita consumption of milk, meat and egg has been increased significantly due to augmented production. During the year 2000-01, the per capita availability of milk, meat and eggs were 36 ml/day, 15 g/day and 31 number/year respectively, which has been increased to 45 ml/day, 22 g/ day and 39-number/ year in 2005-2006.

Artificial Insemination of cattle:

Artificial Insemination is an important and successful program for Livestock Improvement. Semen is collected from the bulls reared in the Central Cattle Breeding Station at Savar and other 22 Districts Artificial Centers, where the semen is processed as diluted and frozen semen for the use to run the extension work on Artificial Insemination Program. A total number of 1670 A.I. Sub-Centers and A.I. points are in operation to run the Artificial Insemination Program by using both diluted and frozen semen. Table-3 shows the number of cows inseminated from the year 2002-03 to 2006-07 (upto March/ 07).

Development of Poultry Breed:

A crossbred chicken called `Sonali’ by crossing R.I.R and Faommy breed has been established/ developed at Mirpur Central Poultry Farm which has also been selected to rear in the rural areas all over the country in new of poultry development. This type of chicken can easily be reared both in scavenging or semiscavenging system at rural environment, they are disease resistant and have an ability to produce about 200 eggs per year. The crossbred chicks Sonali have already been produced in different Govt. Poultry Farm and have been distributed among the farmers all over the country. Table-4 shows the number of chicks distributed from the year 2002-03 to 2006-07 (upto March/07).

Table-4. Number of chicks distributed:

Vaccination of livestock and poultry to control disease:

The Government of Bangladesh have been producing twelve different types of livestock and poultry vaccine to immune them so that they can be able to resist some diseases. From the year 2001-2002 to 2005-06 a total dose of 112.38 crore vaccine were produced and distributed. At present (Upto March/07) the stock of vaccine is 1.57 crore doses.

Goat Rearing a Special Initiative:

Black Bengal Goat is an important animal resource. Goat is termed as poor man’s cow. Ministry of Fisheries and livestock was undertaken a national program namely “Proverty Reduction Through improvement of Goat and increasing its production’’. Under this program initiative has been taken for supplying different supportive tehnologies and inputs for increasing goat production to reduce poverty. The beneficiaries have purchased 1,08,000 goats with the help of that micro credit. Amount of 32.97 crore taka has already been disbursed as micro credit to 50,523 beneficiaries of 440 selected Upazila upto January 2007. Under the project, 99,300 selected farmers have given training on goat rearing. There is a provision for the beneficiaries of the farms to get anthelmintics, Vaccines and other inputs with free of cost.

Dairy Development:

A Project on providing incentives to private dairy farm is implemented to bring a positive change in the dairy section of private sector. Five crore taka have been distributed among the dairy farmers as incentives in each of the fiscal year 2003-04, 2004-05 & 2005-06 through registration of 4775, 5318 and 5364 dairy farms respectively.

Sheep Development Project:

Sheep development project have been launched in the year 2005 and established 39500 sheep farm in 158 upazila and 780 contact growing farmers in 44 upazila of the 22 greater districts for poverty reduction and self employement through the improvement of sheep production. In addition, improvement and conservation of indigenous sheep is going on.

Livestock Development Policy/Programme:

a. Tax holiday for the farmers.
b. Rebate in electricity consumption @ 20% for the commercial/private farms.
c. 25% cash incentive to export poultry and poultry products.
d. Tax free for equipment, drugs, vaccines used in the farms
e. Import restricted for poultry & poultry products from bird flu affected countries to keep the country free from bird flu.

Livestock Act:

Government has adopted and executated the following act-
a. Animal Quarantine Act -2005
b. Animal Disease Prevention & Control Act-2005
Development of Infrastructure:

Sixty-four Districts Veterinary Hospital have been establsihed in distirct head quarter for the expansion of modern veterinary serives to the farmers. Technical supports are provided to poultry and dairy farm through evaluation of feeds, besides the modern veterinary services. The activity also includes determination of afla toxin in animal feeds. Moreover, 464 Thana Veterinary Dispensary situated at upazila level have been converted to Upazila Livestock Development Complex (ULDC). Three hundred twenty five ULDC are functioning and providing services which includes training to small-scale dairy and poultry farmers and advice to farmers. The construction of the rest 139 ULDC is going on.

Man power Development in Livestock Sector:

Veterianry College at Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal & Dinajpur has been established and educational session has been started. At least 200 veterinary graduates are graduating each year from Veterinary Colleges. Recently Chittagong Veterinay College has been converted to Veterinary and Animal Science University. Establishment of educational institution is a part of strengtheing the transfer of livestock technology to the farmers through manpower development.

Development Budget

Departmental Isntitute:

Manpower of Department of Livestock Services:

Previous name        : East Pakistan Forest Research Laboratory (EPFRL).

Present name          : Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI).

Established             : 1955.

Location                 : HQs at Chittagong City.

Land area               : 1100 ha (including 28 ha at HQs).

Disciplines              : Eleven research divisions under Forest Management Branch, six under Forest Products Branch and two Common Services divisions.

Field Stations         : 21 nos. with a total area of 1072 ha.

Being mandated as the only institute to conduct forest management and forest products utilization research, BFRI is rich enough to cater to the current information needs of the nation with the database it has created and the technologies generated. Although administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People�s Republic of Bangladesh, BFRI is a component of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and has strong collaboration with international forestry research organizations and networks.

BFRI maintains the richest forestry library and documentation facilities in the country. Twenty-seven volumes of an internationally abstracted forestry research journal have so far been published from BFRI. The institute has published over 500 research papers, 160 bulletins and 20 folders / leaflets. It has so far imparted training to over 6,000 individuals (foresters/extension workers, NGOs, researchers, farmers/end-users, etc.) in using the technologies generated.

Policy Obligation, Aim and Goal

By policy, BFRI bears the obligation to provide research supports to the FD, BFIDC, end-users and others in performing the forestry activities. BFRI aims at maintaining sustainable productivity of forest land and forest industries without resource depletion. The broad goal is to reduce the demand-supply gap of forest resources.

Major Programmed Areas
Research in the following broad programmed is conducted to achieve national goals in forest productivity, employment generation, environmental conservation and woman’s participation in line with the Forestry Sector Master Plan of the country.

1. Optimise productivity in hill, plain, village and coastal forests through the application of technological input to alleviate the poverty.

2. Provide research backup to forestry and agro-forestry in waste and marginal land for optimum and sustainable utilization.

3. Rational utilization of forest produces through the application of technological input.

4. Help in conservation of biodiversity and environmental balance in national and rural forests.
5. Increase liaison with regional and global organizations and networks.

Priorities
Demand driven research such as promotion of farm forestry and agro-forestry, sustainable management of the Sundarbans and other coastal forest land.

BACKGROUND

The Bangladesh Forest Research Institute was set up as a Forest Products Research Laboratory (FRL) in 1955 by the Government of the then Pakistan. In 1965, this Laboratory was Provincialized and named as the East Pakistan Forest Research Laboratory (EPFRL) under the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct research on the management of the Forest Department. The major objective of the FRL was to conduct research on the utilization of wood and wood products. Later, the need for forestry management research was felt by the administrators and Planners of the country due to rapid decline in stock density in forest land. Consequently, in 1968, the Forest Management Research Branch was created with the assistance of FAO/UNDP, and after the independence of Bangladesh the FRL was reorganized as BFRI. In 1985, the BFRI was separated from the Forest Department, and its administrative control went under the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and then in 1988 under the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). BFRI has two research Branches, namely, the Forest Products Branch and the Forest Management Branch each of which is headed by a Chief Research Officer. The Forest Products Branch has six research divisions and the Forest Management Branch has eleven research divisions. In addition, there are two other common services divisions directly under the Director. Research on scientific and efficient utilization of forest produces are the responsibilities of the Forest Products Branch. Major contributions of this Branch are designing of a low cost solar-kiln for seasoning timbers, devising of preservative treatment techniques for rural housing materials, generation of technology for good quality pulp from inferior jute, classification of end-uses of the lesser-used and village wood species, etc. Research in the Management Branch is aimed at increasing the productivity of forest land through improved management, conservation of soil and water, protection of trees from pests and diseases, tree improvement, etc. Mentionable achievements of the Forest Management Branch are site-specific tree species selection, propagation of bamboos from branch cuttings, development of nursery techniques for tree culture, etc. BFRI has pioneering contribution on artificial regenertion of mangrove species and raising of man-made mangrove plantations which at present cover about 0.1 million hectare land along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The Forest Department (FD), Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), Bangladesh Chemical Industries Development Corporation (BCIC), Bangladesh Tea Board, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB), NGOs and private entrepreneurs are the major clienteles of BFRI.

PRESENT ORGANOGRAM

MANPOWER

TRAINED MANPOWER

RESEARCH DIVISIONS

FIELD STATIONS

BFRI has 22 Research Stations and Sub-Stations under five Field Divisions covering different forest types spread over eight dendro-ecological regions of the country. While all the others are located at the HQs, the Divisional Offices of Plantation Trial Unit Division and Mangrove silviculture Division are at Barisal and Khulna respectively.

OPERATIONAL FLOW

Identification and Prioritization of Research Problems.
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches are used in problem identification. In the top-down approach, problem areas are reported by administrators, planners, policy makers and donors. In the bottom-up approach, the field foresters, wood based industries, NGOs and private entrepreneurs come up with their problems for solution. In addition to their own areas of research interest, the researchers take both these feedback approaches into consideration and propose research projects. These projects are scrutinized by a Technical Committee of the Institute, and the recommendations are again examined by a Coordination Committee consisting of researchers and clientele representatives headed by the Director, BFRI. Annual Research Programs are the finalized by a Research Advisory Committee headed by the Secretary, MOEF. Integrated and multidisciplinary approaches are given priority in formulating the research projects.

Sources of Fund
Research is funded both from the revenue and development budget. The establishment expenditures are supported from the revenue budget of the Government of Bangladesh (GOB). The development activities including the research operational expenditures are covered from the development budget. The Main contributors are IDA, USAID, FAO/UNDP, IDRC, FORSPA and other international agencies.

Projects Implementation
Fund is released to the researchers based on the approved work plans. An Individual or a team of researchers representing several disciplines remains responsible for implementation of each project. Each member of the team has specific responsibilities in integrated programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation
Each project is periodically monitored both internally and externally during its implementation. Institutional administration is responsible for internal monitoring while the external monitoring is done by a team of experts appointed by the MOEF, BARC, IMED of Ministry of Planning and the donor agencies.

Technology Transfer
Results are disseminated through publication of reports, bulletins, scientific papers, popular articles, working papers and other mass media. Seminars, symposia and workshops are also organized for the field workers of Government departments and private entrepreneurs. There are about 700 research publications in the Institute. The institute publishes an internationally recognized half-yearly journal: Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science. In addition, extension materials on matured technologies are published as leaf-lets, folders and booklets for widespread circulation. BFRI also regularly feeds the Technology Transfer and Monitoring Unit of BARC and contributes at the District, Regional and National Technical Committee of DAE, which enhance the Institute’s technology transfer activities. Specifically, training courses such as propagation of bamboo, nursery techniques, pests and diseases management, preservative treatment of rural housing materials, wood identification, improved productivity of man-made forest, land capability assessment for site specific species selections, wood seasoning, wood technology, etc. are organized periodically. Over 6000 individuals of FD, BFIDC, Institutes of NARS, NGOs and common people have been trained so far in using these technologies. BFRI also offers consultative advice and technical services to different Government and Non-Government Organizations and persons related to forest production, management and utilization.

Linkage and Collaboration
BFRI maintains internationals linkage through the MOFF and BARC with IDRC, INBAR, ISME, FAO/UNDP, WB, IUFRO, SAARC, FORSPA, FORTIP, ADB, CIDA, SIDA, Winrock International, CIFOR, DANIDA, IPGRI, etc. It works in cooperation with FD, BFIDC, BCIC, DAE, BARC, Department of Environment (DE), universities and other institutions involved in land based production systems, wood based industries and environmental conservation. BFRI is specifically collaborating with NARS in the nationally coordinated Farming System research (FSR). Mention-worthy recent international collaborations are with FORTIP as being the national focal institute and involved with the international neem provenance trial. It is participating as the lead institute in the species improvement network (SPIN) for bamboo in the region under UNDP/FAO regional project on improved productivity of Man- Made forests through application of technical advances in tree breeding and propagation. BFRI is involved with INBAR in leading an international working group in bamboo production and genetic research.

Human Resource Development
Professionals is offered training leading to higher degrees at specialist’s level at home and abroad. The sub-professional are trained internally in the institute. Specialized local training are offered by BFRI, BARC or other institutes for the professional and sub-professional staff. Academic and professional training, workshops, and seminars are sponsored by the international donor agencies.

Management Information System
Management Information System (MIS), an integral part for management planning, has been developed at BFRI with the assistance of BARC/ISNAR. It includes a computerized modeling system for estimating allocations  of personnel (technical and supporting) as well as funds to different research programs of the institute. The Human Resource Information System (HRIS), a sub-set of the MIS, also maintains the personal information for the professional staff. The documentation is being updated annually since 1988. The MIS will eventually lead to a larger Resource Information Management System (RIMS) of the institute in particular and NARS in general. This will help the institute to keep pace with the global information systems in near future.

FACILITIES

BFRI has developed facilities for research, education, extension and training. These facilities are open to all individuals and institutions.

Laboratories
Laboratories are modestly equipped for conducting research of the Forest Products and Forest Management Branches. Besides its own research activities, BFRI extends its laboratory facilities to the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, and Institute of Marine Sciences, Chittagong University; Bangladesh Forest Academy; Khulna University; Dhaka University and other local and international institutions for teaching and research purposes.

Library and Documentation
BFRI Library is enriched with over 10,000 books, innumerable bulletins and monographs. It regularly subscribes or otherwise collects 12 local and 79 international journals and periodicals, and exchanges publication with many universities and agencies throughout the world. BFRI Library is also rendering information services to the teachers and students of different colleges, universities and also to the scientists and NGO personnel.

Publication
An internationally abstracted forestry journal entitled, Bangladesh journal of Forest Science is being published form BFRI twice a year since 1967. Twenty seven volumes each having two issues have been published so far. In addition, research results are published and disseminated as research papers in local, regional and international journals, as well as bulletins, working papers, folders and leaflets. The latest statistics list over 500   research papers, 160 bulletins, and 20 folders/leaflets.

Herbarium
The herbarium of BFRI has a collection of 16,000 herbarium sheets and the xylarium has a collection of about 600 local and 1600 foreign wood species. It also houses about 2000 fungal specimens.

Arboretum
The arboretum has sixty indigenous and 20 exotic timber species, 34 bamboo species covering 200 germplasms and seven rattan species. A good number of medicinal herbs, shrub and tree species has also enriched the arboretum.

Insect Museum
An insect museum of BFRI houses a collection of about 6000 insect specimens collected from different forest areas.

Auditorium
BFRI has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 500. It is used for conferences, symposia, seminars, and cultural activities. There is also a small conference room with an accommodation of 100 seats.

Guest House and Dormitory
BFRI maintains a Guest House with a capacity of  that includes one VIP suite and several single and double accommodations. The Guest House is situated on a hill top and presents a scenic lookout of the undulating campus landscape. It has a large living space with beautiful party arrangement and services at a minimum charge. This has been considered by local and foreign visitors as a well maintained accommodation out side the capital. The dormitory has a residential capacity of 20. This serves as a transit residence of BFRI field staff as well as trainees and students from different institutions and universities.

Museum
Exhibits in BFRI museum display various uses of timber and important research aspects.

Health and Medical Care
BFRI has a full-time resident physician for emergency medical care. Besides, a public health center is situated just outside the campus boundary. The Chittagong Medical College Hospital and several modern health care clinics are within the easy access from the campus.

Campus Life
BFRI campus accommodates 200 families. Facilities available for the residents are playgrounds, a mosque, a secondary school, 3 clubs, a shaheed minar, etc. The campus life is vividly colorful owing to frequent sports, social, religious and cultural congregations. The campus is exceptionally green and natural. Simultaneously, the dwellers are well communicated with all the urban facilities through the institute and because of its location in the second largest cosmopolitan city of the country. The city of Chittagong is well connected with the capital and is resourceful with places and events of tourist attraction.

PUBLICATIONS

Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) is one of the oldest research institutes of Bangladesh conducting research on sugarcane – the raw material sugar, gur and cane juice. Sugarcane is the only dependable cash crop in the low rainfall belt of the north-west and south-west parts of Bangladesh. Based on sugarcane, the sugar and gur industries of Bangladesh have developed in the country. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), every individual needs to consume 13Kg of sugar or 17Kg of gur per annum. In Bangladesh the quantity is still less than 3Kg per person. With the projected population of 153.33 million in the year 2020, the requirement of sugar will be 9.2 hundred thousand metric ton even if we consider the intake of 6Kg per person per year. At present, 7.3 million ton sugarcane is produced from 0.18 million hectares (roughly 0.1 million hectares in sugar mill zones and 0.08 million hectares in non-mill zones for gur production) of land per year. The yield of sugarcane is 40.52 ton/hectare (46 ton/ha in sugar mill areas and 36 ton/ha in gur areas). To meet the demand of sugar and gur, 11.1 million tons of sugarcane needs to be produced per year. As such the yield of sugarcane must be increased from its present level to at least 65 tons per hectare. BSRI is proud to serve the nation attaining self reliance in the sugar and gur sector with its limited resource and manpower. Two basic functions are performed by this institute: a) Development of sugarcane variety as well as improved production technology and b) Dissemination of varieties and technologies to the farming community. Research wings consist of eight research divisions, one quarantine station and two regional stations, whereas Technology Transfer (TT) wing consists of two major divisions, six substations and three sections. The Technology Transfer wing generally conducts training for farmers, extension workers, etc. and conducts demonstrations in the farmers’ fields disseminate the messages through different form of publications, and collects feedback information.

EMERGENCE

The first research activity on sugarcane started in this subcontinent with the establishment of the Sugarcane Breeding Station (SBS) at Coimbatore (India) in 1912 and in Bangladesh in 1933. The history of sugarcane research in Bangladesh is briefly mentioned here:

Sugarcane Seedling Testing Laboratory (SSTL): 1933-1947

This laboratory was established at Monipuri farm, Dhaka in 1933 to conduct trials with sugarcane fuzz from Coimbatore for the purpose of selecting improved varieties suitable for this region. It was financed by the then Royal Imperial Council of Agriculture and it functioned upto 1947. A few good varieties like Co 419, Co 527 etc. selected by the laboratory are still in cultivation in different parts of Bangladesh.

Sugarcane Research Station (SRS): 1951-1971

The Ministry of Agriculture of the erstwhile Government of East Pakistan established the Sugarcane Research Station (SRS) at the present site of Ishurdi, Pabna in 1951. The station started functioning with only 17 manpower and very poor logistic support. Research was then limited to breeding and selection. The station successfully developed and released nine varieties of which Isd-1/53 and Isd-2/54 are still in cultivation in different parts of the country. Food and Agricultural Council of the then Pakistan placed it under control of the Central Government. But they returned it back to the Ministry of Agriculture of the provincial government in 1965 without any significant development. Thus research activities continued with limited manpower and logistic support. The station was almost destroyed during the War of Liberation in 1971.

Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI): 1971-1979

After independence, SRS was handed over to Bangladesh Sugar Mills Corporation (BSMC) (presently BSFIC) under the Ministry of Industry in 1973. Realizing the importance of the sugar industry in the country, the ECNEC approved the Sugarcane Research Institute scheme during the First Five Year Plan. Under this scheme, SRS was upgraded and renamed as Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) with the provision of regional station in Thakugaon.

Sugarcane Research and Training Institute (SRTI): 1980-1988

During Second Five Year Plan (1980-1985), Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation submitted a scheme for Staff Training Center (STC) and Ishurdi and Thakurgaon. ECNEC approved a revised scheme merging STC and SRI, renaming it as Sugarcane Research and Training Institute (SRTI) during 1980-1981.

Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI):

As a follow-up of a cabinet decision taken in April 1987, Government transferred SRTI from BSFIC (Ministry of Industry) to the Ministry of Agriculture to upgrade it as a national institute. In 1996, the Honorable President of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh promulgated the BSRI ordinance (Ordinance No. 23, of 18^th June 1996). Through this ordinance, the government terminated Sugarcane Research and Training Institute and established an autonomous national institute named Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute, with a broader mandate to conduct research on sugarcane and other ancillary sugar crops all over the country. Following the Ordinance, the BSRI Act (the Act No. 11 of 1996, 17^th August 1996) was passed by the Parliament on 17^th August, 1996. This act was partly amended [BSRI (amendment) Act, 21 September 2002] to give the other Institutes under the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS).

MANDATES

1. Development of crops/plants for the production of Sugar, Gur and Syrup.
2. To prepare production programs of sugar, gur and syrup producing carbohydrate enriched crops/plants.
3. To conduct research on sugarcane based farming systems and to identify its economic advantages.
4. To take necessary measures regarding appropriate uses of technologies of sugar, gur and syrup producing crops/plants.
5. To develop and maintain germoplasm bank by collecting diverse sugarcane varieties/clones.
6. To undertake (with the approval of the Government) sugarcane-related collaborative programme with national and international research, education and training institutes.
7. To extend cooperation to any individual or organization that are working in the field of sugarcane research and development.
8. To publish a journal and reports to disseminate research results and recommendations of the institute.
9. To help the Government on sugarcane policy formulation and to advise the Government, local authority or any institution regarding any matter related to sugarcane.
10. To educate and train up sugarcane farming community.
11. To take any necessary steps for implementation of aforesaid functions.

MANAGEMENT

1. Director General

- Chairman (ex-officio)

2. Two agricultural scientists nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture, those who are not working in this institute. One of them is a social scientist and the other is an expert of the institute’s subject matter.

-Member

3. One representative nominated by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council

- Member

4. An Officer not lower than Director the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture

-Member

5. Directors of the Institute

-Member (Ex-officio)

6. Two senior scientists working at the institute, nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture

-Member

7. A progressive farmer of non-mill zone nominated by the Department of Agriculture and a progressive farmer of sugar mills zone nominated by the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation

-Member

8. One member from each Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Finance those status are not lower than Deputy Secretary

-Member

9. One representative from Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation nominated by the Ministry of Industry

-Member

10. An Officer of the institute

-Secretary

Sugar Statistics

Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh (DoF) was first established in the undivided Bengal of the British India in 1908. In 1910 the DoF was abolished through merging with the Department of Agriculture. Again as per recommendation of Mr. T. Southwell the DoF became an independent organization in 1917. The DoF was abolished again in 1923. After long gap following the recommendation of Dr. M. Ramswami Naidu the DoF was revived in May 1942. Since the inception of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) the DoF had been continued. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 the Central Fisheries Department of the then Pakistan merged with the DoF of Bangladesh in April 1975. Later on in 1984 Central Marine Fisheries Dept. merged with the DoF as a Marine Fisheries wing. Bangladesh is a south Asian country located in between latitude 20°34′ and 26°39′ north and longitude 80°00′ and 92°41′ east. The country is crisscross with hundreds of rivers. The climate of Bangladesh is a unique for aquaculture and fisheries resource management. The Bay of Bengal is situated at the south of the country. Winter lasts only for about 2 months in the country. Temperature and rainfall ranges from 07° to 40°C and 1170 to 3400 mm respectively.

Organogram/Structures

DoF is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. It is headed by a Director General, who is assisted by 3 Director and 2 Principal Scientific Officer (equivalent to Director). There are 845 technical officers of different hierarchy and 3278 supporting staffs in the DoF under the revenue budget who accomplish the routine activities of the DoF. There is administrative set-up at national, division, district and Upazila levels headed by Deputy Director, District Fisheries Officer and Upazila Fisheries Officer respectively. Besides these, there are 3 fish inspection and quality control stations, Marine Fisheries Station, Fisheries Training Centres, Farms and Hatcheries.

• To disseminate improved aquaculture technologies through training and demonstration and to extend extension advisory services to the focal stakeholders.
• To enhance fisheries resources through enacting conservation and management measures.
• Assist the administrative ministry to formulate policies, acts etc.
• To enforce quality control measures and issuance of health certificates for exportable fish and fish products.
• To conduct fisheries resources survey and assessment of stock to develop fisheries database for proper planning.
• To facilitate arrangement for institutional credit for fish and shrimp farmers, fishers and fish traders.
• To formulate and implement development projects towards sustainable utilization of fisheries resources to ensure food security.
• To facilitate alternative income generating activities for rural poor and unemployed people towards poverty alleviation.

BANGLADESH FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BFRI)

It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. This institute had been established in 1984. Under this institute there are 5 stations located at Mymensingh, Chandpur, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazar, Paikgacha (Khulna) and 3 substations at Santahar, Jessore & Barisal. These stations conduct basic and applied research on freshwater aquaculture, inland fisheries management, lake management, fish diseases, marine fisheries, brackish water aquaculture, fish breeding genetics etc. Some of the technologies evolved by this institute are being extended to the fields.

This corporation is also an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock. This corporation had been established in 1964. BFDC is mainly involved in harvesting fisheries resources and developing marketing facilities in the country. For the development of marketing facilities this organization has established fish harbour, landing and distribution centres, ice plants and processing plants. In the past BFDC played a vital role to attract the private entrepreneurs in marine resource exploitation and marketing.

Contribution of Fisheries Sector

It contributes 4.91% (p) to GDP and 5.10% to foreign exchange earning through export. Fish provides 63% of national animal protein consumption. Fisheries sector plays an important role in rural employment and poverty alleviation.

Categories of Resources

There are 4 categories of major fisheries resources, those are

(i) inland open water (4.92 million ha, including polder)

(ii) inland closed water (including brackish water) 0.44 million ha

(iii) brackish water (0.14 million ha) and

(iv) marine water (16.61 million Ha)

Inland Fisheries

Inland fisheries comprises of rivers, estuaries, beels, floodplains, polders, ponds, ox-bow lakes, brackish water etc. In early sixties inland fisheries contributed about 90% of total fish production of the country. Fish production from aquaculture has increased to a great extent but open water fish production is in slow progress. Now only about 36% of total fish production comes from inland open water. There are 260 fish and 25 prawn species in inland fresh water in the country.

Marine Fisheries

The Bay of Bengal is situated in the South of Bangladesh. There is a total of 166,000 sq. km. water area including EEZ. Fishing is only confined within 100-meter depth. About 87 trawlers, 44,000 mechanized and non-mechanized boats are engaged in fishing. Pelagic and deep-sea resources are still untapped. In the year 2002-03 fish production was 0.43 million mt. in which only 28,000 mt. was trawl catch.

Fish Production

Average annual growth rate of fish production is around 6%. Inland open water is the major source of fish production in the country. But production from closed water bodies is increasing very sharply due to dissemination of adaptive technologies and effective extension services rendered by DoF.

Table. Last 5 years fish production is mentioned below (In Metric ton)

Fig. Major group-wise contribution in fish production (2002-03)

There are 260 fresh water, 475 marine fish species and 24 prawn, 36 shrimp species in the country. 12 exotic species are being cultured in the country.

National Fisheries Policy

A national fisheries policy has been adopted to make the aquaculture and fisheries management activities environment friendly and sustainable. The policy has been formulated aiming at the primary objective of increasing fish production through optimum utilization of the available resources. Employment generation and poverty alleviation have also been given importance in fisheries policy.

Development Activities

In addition to the normal activities of the DoF several development projects with ultimate aim at boosting-up fish production and conservation of fisheries resources. In 2003-2004 a total of 16 investment projects and 5 technical assistance projects are being implemented. There are 2 development projects under MoFL, FRI during 2003-2004.

Fisheries Legislation

For fisheries resource conservation, management and maintenance of quality of the fish and fish products the following major ordinances and rules are being enforced.

1. Fish Protection & Conservation Act, 1950 (latest amendment in 2002)

2. Marine Fisheries Ordinance 1983 and Rules 1983 3. Tank Improvement Act, 1939

4. Fish & Fish Products (Inspection & Quality Control) Ordinance, 1983.

5. Fish & Fish Products (Inspection & Quality Control) Rules’ 1997.

AQUACULTURE PRACTICES

Freshwater aquaculture

Native Major and exotic carps are largely cultured in the country. Culture practices are mainly improved-extensive and semiintensive. Beside carp aquaculture monoculture of Nilotica, Rajpunti, P. sutchi are also practiced. Annual national average of fish production in the ponds is 2589 Kg/ha. Freshwater prawn (M. rosenbergii) is also cultured along with carps mainly in the southern region of the country. Average yield is about 350-500 kg/ha.

Brackish water aquaculture

It is widespread in Satkhira, Khulna, Cox’s Bazar and Bagerhat district. P. monodon and M. rosenberqii are the major species of shellfish cultured in those areas. M. rosenbergii_ is largely cultured in southwest region of the country. Culture practices of shrimp are improved extensive in nature. Annual yield is 400-500 kg/ha.

Fish Hatchery

Fish hatchery especially carp hatchery started to come up in late seventies. At present there are 696 private and 112 public fish hatcheries in the country. The following species are bred in the hatcheries. They are – L. rohita, L. calbasu, C. mriqala, C. catla, H. molitrix, C. idellus, A. nobilis, M. pisceus, C. carpio, P. sutchi, R gonionotus. C. batruchus, A. testudunius, M. gulsha, 0. pabda, Tor for etc.

In the year 2003 a total of 302,727 kg of hatchling was produced from hatcheries. Presently collection of seeds from natural grounds has gradually reduced to about 1044 kg from 22,000 kg in 1987.

Shrimp Hatchery

During last 3 years establishment of shrimp hatchery expanded very rapidly. In 2000 there were about 44 P. monodon (Bagda) hatchery and 28 M. rosenbergii (Galda) hatchery. In Bagda hatcheries about 3050 million of PLs. were produced. Almost all Bagda hatcheries are located in Cox’s Bazar region, but major culture grounds are situated in southwest region of Bangladesh. The produced PLs. are transported to southwest region by aircrafts.

Export of Fish & Fish Products

There were 129 fish processing plants in the country of which 65 plants are in operation. Annual production capacity of 65 plants is about 2,60,000 mt. But due to scarcity of raw materials those plants run at about 20-25% of their installed capacity. Out of 65 plants European Commission has approved 57 plants. HACCP has already been introduced in fish processing establishments. Major importing countries are European countries, U.S.A and Japan. About 95% of total fish products are exported to those countries. Remaining is exported to the countries in Southeast Asia and Middle East.  

(Value: Mil. Taka, Qnty: MT)

Figure Showing Export of Fish & Fish products (1998-2003)

TYPE OF PRODUCTS EXPORTED

Graph showing Export of Fish & Fish products from 98-99 to 02-03

Major export items of fish products are raw shrimp block frozen, IQF shrimp and white fish, PUD & P&D shrimp block frozen, consumer pack of raw frozen shrimp, dry, salted & dehydrated fish and a little quantity of value added shrimp products.

Fish Inspection & Quality Control

DoF has 3 Fish inspection and quality control stations located at Khulna, Chittagong and Dhaka facilitated with testing laboratories. DoF is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the quality of the products as Competent Authority.

Fisheries Cooperatives/ Societies/ Associations

There are few leading fisheries associations for the development of socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries, to resolve their relevant problems and to improve their professional skills. Some of those are,

1. National Fishermen Society
2. Small-scale Fishermen Society
3. National Shrimp Farmers Association
4. National Shrimp Hatchery Owners Association.

Fish Fortnight Observation

Every year ‘Fish Fortnight’ is observed usually in between July and September with a view to making aquaculture a social movement. Creation of awareness about the conservation of fisheries resources is also an objective of ‘Fish Fortnight’. It is a national programme and is inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister.

Since the birth of Bangladesh, the country has achieved an incredible growth in food production and reached towards self-sufficiency by the year 1990. Total food grain production rose from 10 million tons in 1971 to more than 31.3 million tons in 2006, which was gripped with per hectare yield of 1.05 tons in 1970-1971 to 2.64 tons per hectare in 2005-2006. This grand success has mainly been brought by the farmers through using modern technologies developed by research organizations and effective Agricultural Extension Services of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

Stepping on the high way to information and communication technology today, DAE has switched over services towards e-Governance and prompt service to all categories of stakeholders. Primarily all offices at the headquarters are connected to a network and that for distract levels are going to be implemented very soon. Fast information flow to all extension personnel’s and farmers will obviously bring an enviable change in agricultural development. Our website will bring people for all sorts of information relevant to agricultural production, research, and policy planning, trade, import, and human resources development activities. We hope this website will make worth to your need and agricultural development in Bangladesh.

POLICY

The Government is committed to the continued development of agriculture in order to maintain food supplies for the growing population, provide income and employment for rural people, and protect the environment. Because land is scarce in Bangladesh, the key to agricultural development is the efficient, productive and sustainable use of all firm land. This will depend on the farmers who decide what to produce, what technology and inputs to use, how much to sell, and how much care to take in looking after their crops, livestock, fish and trees.

STRATEGY

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is the largest extension service provider in Bangladesh, and has considerable human and financial resources. It is therefore important to ensure that the Department employs these resources strategically to offer the best opportunities for facilitating agricultural growth and
development.

The Department has completed the implementation period of its first Strategic Plan (1999-2002), and learnt much from the process. This Strategic Plan (2002-2006) is a bold attempt to shape a new future for the Department as it enters the 21st century.

The Strategic Plan is designed to support the entire policy framework of the Government of Bangladesh, including the National Agriculture Policy; National Rural Development Policy; National Strategy for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction and Social Development (i-PRSP) and the New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP).

EXTENSION APPROACHES

Agricultural extension in Bangladesh has followed an evolutionary process of experimentation with components of several recognized extension approaches. The Training and Visit (T&V) Approach, which was established in the late seventies, had formed the backbone of DAE’s extension practices. However, to increase its effectiveness and efficiency of extension service, DAE has sought to develop its own more pertinent approach, which will specifically embrace the Mission of DAE within the context of the New Agricultural Extension Policy.

Creation Of BFRI

The fish and fisheries are integral part of the culture and heritage of Bangladesh. The sector plays a significant role in nutrition, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. The need for a strong institutional research support to achieve the desired national goal of sustainable increased production and development of fisheries was first highlighted in the National Seminar on Fisheries Research, organized by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in September 1982, in close collaboration with the Life Science Departments of Agricultural and General Universities and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), FAO, and other agencies operating in fisheries research and development activities. One of the four recommendations adopted in the workshop was to establish a national institute for fisheries research. The recommendation for establishing a national fisheries research institute was also strongly supported by the Expert Team constituted by the Ministry of Agriculture and by the World Bank Appraisal Mission for its Agricultural Research Project (Phase IV, IDA Phase II). In implementation of this recommendation, Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) was established in 1984 under an ordinance (Ordinance No. XLV of 1984) promulgated by the President of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, which was subsequently renamed as Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute by an Act (Act 10 of 1996).Though the Institute was established in 1984, it actually started functioning in 1986 with the recruitment of required manpower and creation of initial research facilities. Since then, the institute has been playing a key role in assisting the nation to achieve the goal of fisheries development as set out in successive development plans.

Management of The BFRI

BFRI is an autonomous research organization and linked up administratively with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh. The general direction, administration and supervision of the affairs of the institute is vested in the Board of Governors consisting as follows:

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors may exercises all powers and doing all acts and things that may be performed or done by the institute. The Board may appoint such committees, as it may consider necessary to assist it in the performance of its functions. As the Chief Executive of the Institute, the Director General takes appropriate steps in implementing its programs in the light of policies and directives formulated by the Board of Governors.

Working Linkage

The overall research, training and management activities of the Institute are carried out in close cooperation and linkages with various national and international organizations/agencies. The Institute also keeps close contact with public extension organizations, different NGOs working in the country, for dissemination of technologies and obtaining feed-back from them. BFRI has collaborates with national Universities and maintains close liaison for fisheries research and development (R & D). Among the various international linkages of BFRI, the World Bank (WB), International Development Agency (IDA), IFAD, WorldFish Center, ACIAR/CSIRO, NACA, DFID, University of Stirling, are important.

Among the national collaborators, definitely the main focus implies to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) followed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and have close cooperation, linkages and joint research and development programmes with the NOGs’ like PROSIKA, BRAC, CARE, Bachte Shikha, Jagoroni Chokra etc.

The BFRI has singed MOU with Bangladesh Academy Rural Development (BARD), Bangladesh Agricultural University Extension Centre (BAUEC) for collaborative research and training programs. The national Universities including Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) are linked with BFRI through contract research programs and exchange of expertise and training.

Aims and Objectives

• To carry out basic and adaptive research for development and optimum utilization of all living aquatic resources and coordinate fisheries research activities in Bangladesh.
• To experiment and standardize techniques for maximizing productions and better management of living aquatic resources.
• To identify new production opportunities and develop them to usable levels.
• To develop skilled research manpower through training.
• To transfer the technologies to users through training of extension workers, planners, fish farmers and other relevant persons.
• To advise the Government in all matters relating to research and management of living aquatic resources.

The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) under the Ministry of Agriculture is at the apex of the national agricultural research system (NARS). It has the responsibility to strengthen the national agricultural research capability through planning and integration of resources. It is the umbrella under which the entire Bangladesh agricultural research effort is coordinated. This involved cooperative activities in several ministries of government: Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Fisheries and Livestock, Rural Development, Education, Industries, Commerce, Science and Technology, etc. Policies to guide BARC are made by a governing body which is headed by the Hon’ble Minister for Agricultural as its Chairman, with the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries and Livestock and Hon’ble Minister for Environment and Forest as the co-chairman including Hon’ble Member of the Parliament, top officials of government ministries and research institutes, outstanding scientists, farmers representative as members. The implementation of the policies adopted by the governing body is the responsibility of the Executive Chairman of BARC and the Member-Directors and Directors of specific disciplines. BARC is entrusted with the task of preparing the vision document and the national agricultural research plan. These are the guide for planning and conducting research activities according to the national priorities. Based on these the research institutes draws their master plan. BARC has the responsibility to coordinate research and foster inter-institute collaboration, monitor and review the research program of NARS institutes, assist institutes to strengthen research capacities, establish system-wide operational policies and standard management procedures and assure that each institute is optimally governed.

Vision

The vision of the BARC is to develop an efficient, effective and sustainable system of agricultural research promoting to increase standard of living, which would be adequate for well being of the people of Bangladesh.

Mission

The mission of the BARC is to strengthen and mobilize research capabilities of the institutes of the NARS, universities, private sectors and other stakeholders in partnership in the generation of appropriate technologies and information for the development of agriculture sector.

Goals

• Strengthen and consolidate the national agricultural research system
• Planning, funding, coordination and monitoring of competitive research grants
• Generate client-oriented or demand-driven appropriate technology
• Document and disseminate research outputs to stakeholders
• Improve administrative and financial set up for supporting research
• Create research enabling environment through improved management and financial system.

BACKGROUND

The economy of Bangladesh is predominantly agricultural. About 80 percent of the total population live in rural areas and are directly or indirectly engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities. The agricultural sector contributes around 29 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and generates employment for 63 percent of the total labour force. With the rapid increase in population and high pressure on land it was not possible to achieve increased productivity of agriculture through traditional farming systems. To achieve farmer’s prosperity, alleviate poverty, ensure self reliance in rural communities on sustainable basis, and meet the challenges of the future, a mechanism was needed to systematically coordinate and organize facilities and resources in agricultural research. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) was established in 1973 by the Presidential Order No. 32 to provide systematic approach to plan, evaluate, coordinate and conduct national agricultural research program in order to accelerate food production including fish and livestock and labour productivity. The continuing reorganization of research institutions led to further restructuring of the agricultural research system in 1976. The parliamentary act in 1996 empower BARC with a wider responsibility of planning, priority setting, coordination, monitoring, reviewing and evaluation of research programs and human resource development of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) institutes. This wider responsibility was deemed necessary to improve the effectiveness of resources allocated to the agricultural research community.

OBJECTIV AND FUNCTIONS

The objectives of the Council shall, in view of the need of the country, to be carry out agricultural research, do acts of coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation, through the institutes, associate institutes and in appropriate cases, through other relevant organizations in different areas of agricultural science.

With a view to carrying out the purpose above the council shall perform the following functions:

In view of the national agricultural policy, identify and prioritize the areas/topics of agricultural research;

Formulate such essential agricultural research plans as would provide the institutes appropriate dimensions in their research programs;

Advise the government in respect of the problems and prospects of agricultural research and about use of the external assistance in the agricultural sector;

Examine and evaluate the budget (based on institutes’ own fund) of all research proposals and of their executive before being placed in the Board Meeting, and make necessary recommendations;

Examine and evaluate the budget of such research proposals and its execution process as would be carried out by any institute or associated institute on the basis of assistance given by the Council either on contract basis or otherwise and make necessary recommendations;

In order to that the standard of research has been maintained, the Council shall;

(i)    monitor the progress of research activities of the institute as per schedule set in the approved research programs and proposals;

(ii)   appoint external panel of expert to review the targeted research programs and accomplishment of each institute and associated institute at the interval of every five years;

(iii)  monitor from time to time the research programs and accomplishments of each institute by internal panel of experts;

Establish and operate new research institutes, research centres, research stations, information centre, museum, herbarium, germplasm and plant introduction centre and assist other organizations in setting these up;

In order to give appropriate shape to the system advice the government or the relevant institute, as the case may be, in respect of rationalizing the number, location and scope of research stations of research centres, library, information centre, museum, herbarium, germplasm and plant introduction centre and other establishments;

Monitor the transfer of agricultural technology at the field level and take timely steps and, where appropriate, advise the concerned authority to remove the bottlenecks in the dissemination of research findings and technology and their application and use at field level by the institutes and associated institutes;

Subject to the provisions of this Act determine the terms and conditions of employment of the staff and officers of the Council;

Undertake necessary steps for higher studies and training in agriculture research and technology for officers and staffs of Council, Institutes and Associated Institutes;

Determine, in the light of government policy, the need for participation in international conferences, seminars and workshops by scientists of Council, Institutes and Associated Institutes and take necessary steps;

Maintain contact with agricultural research institutes or agricultural research organizations of other countries to ensure the effectiveness and utility of their innovations and equipments in Bangladesh agriculture through rapid testing, adaptation and use;

Carry out ex post evaluation of all research projects and other activities of the institutes and, in appropriate cases, of associate institutes and give them necessary advice and direction;

Take any other action or actions as may be required to accomplish the above acts and to give effect to the purpose of this Act;

Chronology of the Consolidation

Of The BARC-NARS

April 5, 1973

Presidential Order No. 32, The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Order, 1973 was issued “to provide for the establishment of an Agricultural Research Council for the co-ordination of agricultural research conducted by various institutes and organizations located in Bangladesh.

July 5, 1976

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Amendment No. LI of 1976 was issued which substantially provided the critical authorities and management structure for BARC to coordinate all agricultural research in the country.

September 10, 1979

The Ministry of Agriculture directed the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institutes (BARI) be designated as a constituent unit of BARC, while operating under its own Board for administration and management of affairs.

September 15, 1979

The Ministry of Agriculture directed that the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), and Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) “will henceforth process their schemes/projects through Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) for scrutiny and approval before forwarding them to the Government”.

May 27, 1982

The Ministry of Agriculture issued a notification that the “Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) shall henceforth be constituent units of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, and while working under their respective constitutions, shall be under the supervisory control of the Council”.

July 24, 1983

The Bangladesh Gazette stated that “Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute shall be restructured as autonomous bodies. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute shall be made constituents of the Council”.

October 11, 1983

The Office Order of the Ministry of Education announced the “decision of the Government allocating the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) as the business of Agriculture and Forest Division of the Ministry of Agriculture” to be immediately in force. This was later revised and the BAU was again brought under the Ministry of Education.

May 24, 1988

BARC Amendment Act 1988 of May 24, 1988 provided more authority to the Council to plan, support, coordinate, implement and evaluate agricultural research. This also made coordination more effective amongst several Ministries involved in agricultural research.

August 17, 1996

The Bangladesh Agricultural research Council Act/Revision of earlier Act/1973 giving the council more responsibility and authorities, under its Governing Body. The following national Research Institutes continued to remain as its constituent units.

1. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) – Established in 1976

2. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) – Established in 1970

3. Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) – Established in 1951

4. Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) – Established in 1984

5. Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) – Established in 1994

6. Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) – Established in 1984

7. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) – Established in 1984

8. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) – Established in 1955

9. Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) – Established in 1958

10. Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) – Established in 1983

ORGANIZATION FRAMEWORK

The organizational structure of BARC consists of the Governing Body (GB), the Executive Council (EC) and the BARC Secretariat. Honourable Minister for Agriculture chairs the GB and Minister for Fisheries and Livestock and Minister for Environment and Forests are Co-chairs. There are 26 members representing Extension departments (Agricultural, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry), agricultural universities, agricultural scientists, NGOs. private sectors and farmers.

The Governing Body

The Executive Council

The BARC Secretariat

GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body (GB) consists of 26 members is the supreme authority of the Council. It controls, directs and oversees the matters pertaining to research, planning, coordination and administrative policy formulation of the Council. The GB consists of:

Honourable Minister for Agriculturte :                                   Chairman

Honourable Minister for Fisheries and Livestock       :           Co-Chairman

Honourable Minister for Environment and Forest      :           Co-Chairman

MEMBERS

Members of Parliament (2)

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock

Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests

Secretary, Ministry of Commerce

Member (Agriculture), Planning Commission

Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Vice-Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University

Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council

Director-General, Department of Agricultural Extension

Director-General, Department of Livestock

Director-General, Directorate of Fisheries

Director-General, Directorate of Environment

Chief Conservator of Forests, Department of Forest

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Establishment

Eminent scientists (3)

Representatives from Agricultural Business Community

Representatives from NGO dealing with Agricultural Research/development

Representative from Farmers

Member Director (Administration and Finance) of BARC acts as Secretary of the Governing Body.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Executive Council (EC) consists of Executive Chairman, BARC, Member Directors of BARC and the Director- Generals/Directors of NARS institutes. Executive Council is responsible to GB, assists in various policy issues in NARS and approves the research proposals of ARIs. The Executive Chairman of BARC chairs the  Executive Council.

Management Board of ARIs

Autonomous institutes are managed by individual Management Board headed by the heads of the institutes (Director- General/Director). Management Board is represented by BARC, Ministry, Private Sector, Farmers, Scientists and other stakeholders.

BARC SECRETARIAT

Executive Chairman: The Executive Chairman, the Chief executive officer of BARC is responsible for the execution of GB decisions and overall administration and implementation of programmes of BARC. The Member Directors of the Council assist the Executive Chairman in carrying out the activities.

Member Directors     : BARC has seven divisions headed by Member Directors. The divisions are:  Crops, Planning and Evaluation, Natural Resource Management, Fisheries, Livestock, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, and Administration and Finance. These divisions are responsible for coordinating the activities in specific fields or programme areas.

The BARC Secretariat, consisting of technical and general staff, implements the policies and guidelines formulated by the Governing Body. The Secretariat has a number of units, which include the Soils, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, Computer and GIS Unit, Agriculture Information Centre, Manpower and Training Unit, Nutrition Unit and Technology Transfer and Monitoring Unit. Each Division and Unit of BARC is responsible for identifying problem areas and setting priorities for research, for reviewing project proposals and reports, improving research extension linkages, developing capacity building for emerging research issues, and keeping abreast of the progress of research. Responsibilities also include monitoring and evaluating research programmes, identifying deficiencies in research coverage, and suggesting means of improvement; developing inter-institutional projects and fostering cooperation among scientists and research institutes, and arranging seminars, workshops and international cooperation in their respective fields.

After the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 Jute Sector was taken up with special and realistic approach. The Bangladesh Govt. promulgated the Jute Act in 1974 and established Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) with specific mandate which was modified in 1996 with the following major functions.

• To promote agriculture, technological and economic research on jute and allied fibers and their manufactures and dissemination of results thereof.
• To organize production, testing and supply of improved pedigree of jute seeds and multiplication, procurement & their distribution to recognized organization, selected growers and such other agencies as may be approved by the Board.
• To set up research centers, sub-stations, pilot projects and farms in different regions of the country for carrying out research on different problems of jute and allied fiber crops, jute products and allied materials.
• To establish project areas for demonstration of new varieties of jute developed by the institute and to train the farmers for cultivation of these varieties of jute.
• To establish annual reports, monographs, bulletins, and other literatures relating to jute research and the activities of the institute.
• To organize training of officers and progressing farmers on modern improvement method of cultivation of jute and allied fiber crops and also to train technical hands for utilization of technological findings and
• To do and perofrm such other activities as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

BACKGROUND

The Bangladesh Jute Research Institute is the oldest mono-crop research institute of the country. Jute Research was first started in Dhaka with the creation of a Fiber Expert’s position and assumption of the responsibility by Sir R.S. Finlow in 1904 under the Bengal Department of Agriculture (1904-1939). To intensify research on jute and allied fibers, Jute Agricultural Research Laboratory (JARL) was established by the Indian Central Jute Committee (ICJC) in Dhaka in 1939. During 1936-47 the effective infrastructure required for a board spectrum of Jute Research activities was established. After the partition of India in 1947, in the light of erstwhile ICJC. Pakistan Central Jute Committee (PCJC) in turn reorganized the existing JARL was Jute Research Institute (JRI) at the present site in 1951. Later on in 1963 jute technological/industrial research activities/industrial research activities were initiated in the present site as an independent body in the name of Jute Technological Research Board with the help of the then Pakistan Jute Mills Association. consequently it was amalgamated in the PCJC as agile organization as a separate project with the different budget provision including foreign currency allocation. Subsequently, Bangladesh Government promulgated the jute act in 1974 (modified in 1996) as establised Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI).

To perform the functions, the Institute has three main branches, namely.

1. Agriculture Research on Jute.

2.Technological Research on Jute, and

3. Marketing and Economic Research on Jute.

Objectives of Agriculture Research on Jute :

1. To develop improved varieties having desired level of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, variable photo periods and temperature with shorter field life to fit well in location specific cropping systems, to the need and requirement of marketable diversified products development;

2. To develop technologies for minimizing the cost of production of fiber.

3. To develop improved tossa varieties of jute with wider adaptability having high quality, finer and stronger fiber;

4. To breed short duration photo and thermo-insensitive varieties of kenaf and mesta for increased biomass and seed production to ensure maximum commercial exploitation of both the species.

5.  To generate location specific technologies for improved retting of jute, kenaf and mesta and transfer this knowledge to the farmers;

6.  To generate, improve and expand location specific technologies for seed production after monsoon;

7.  To consolidate and gear up efforts for maintenance breeding of existing improved varieties and ensure production and supply of adequate quantity of Breeder’s seeds to support the national seed programme.

Agriculture Wing

NEW VARIETIES

Objectives of Technological Research on Jute:

- To improve conventional jute products;

- To evolve new and diversified end-uses of jute for increasing export potential;

- To develop new and diversified jute products for maximizing domestic uses of jute for agricultural, industrial and infrastructural development sectors;     To provide technological support to jute and textile industries in updating their manufacturing process and in adopting technologies for new jute products;

- To provide information to the Agricultural Wing of the Jute Research Institute for breeding quality jute fiber to seed the jute industries by growing jute with/having desired textile properties;

- To improve, fabricate and develop equipment and machinery suitable for jute and jute based industries;

- To study the utilization of jute mill wastes and environmental impact of jute products along with health care of industrial works.

TECHNOLOGIES

Since establishment of the technological wing of BJRI in 1966 the scientists engaged in the diversified products development and improvement activities of jute have had a wide range of achievements, which include the production or development of:

• Jute Novotex Blanket
• Novotex fabrics
• Improved Dyeing and Printing of Jute Textiles
• Fine Tex Yarn
• Jute Felt and Jute Stuffed Quilts
• Softening of Jute cuttings
• Chemical Modification of Jute Fiber
• Development of Dyeing and Finishing of Jute and Jute Products
• Rot Proofing Technology for Jute and Jute Product
• Fire proofing Technology for Jute and Jute Products
• Development of Thermal Conductivity apparatus
• Designing of a Fault finding apparatus
• Improving the existing weaker yarn irregularity tester
• Production of an improved Geo-textiles
• Development of an improved nursery sheet
• Preparation of a low cost fuel
• Development of Jute based sanitary napkins as absorbent cotton substitutes
• Deodorized jute for tea bag
• Jute plastic for furniture partition walls
• Jute pulp for paper production
• Micro crystalic cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose for pharmaceuticals and other industrial uses
• Development of a mathematical relation between the tenacity of fiber and quality of yarn spin and mathematical relation ship between the variability or mass and strength of different counts of yarns
• Optimization of tuff square inch and pile height of the yarn in jute carpet for imparting maximum resilience in jute carpet.

JUTE AND TEXTILE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

The Jute and Textile Product Development Centre has started as a five year project, funded by the Government of Bangladesh. The main objectives of the project are:

1. To shift and replace the abandoned equipment/machinery of the defunct Jutton Project from the compound of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to the BJRI compound.

2. To produce fine yarn and cloth from jute in blend with cotton, rayon, silk, polyester, acrylic etc. by the application of technology evolved by the Jutton Project and to strengthen the research activities for this purpose.

3. To create entrepreneurship, transfer the innovated technology for the purpose of commercial production, and promote marketing of the new products.

4. To develop the jute-based textile technology through the exchange of expertise and knowledge with textile, jute and garment industries and to make an extension of the technologies to the level of handloom and cottage industries.

5. To improve the country-made machinery and technologies in order to make a viable commercial production of jute based fine yarns and fabrics and various commodities produced experimentally in the laboratory

CITIZEN’S CHARTER OF BANGLADESH JUTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BJRI)

1.     Vision of Citizen’s Charter of BJRI:

Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) is committed to help the farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders or citizens of Bangladesh in delivering jute related technologies both jute fibre and jute products and related socio-economic information to reduce the poverty through the improvement of jute and allied fibre crops by agricultural and technological researches, a part of whole jute sector.

2.  Major Functions Performed by the Institute:

2.1.            To regulate, control and promote agricultural, technological and economic research on Jute and allied fibres and their manufactures and dissemination of results thereof.

2.2.            To organize production, testing and supply of improved pedigree of jute seeds and multiplication, procurement and their distribution to recognized organizations, selected growers and such other agencies as may be approved by the Board.

2.3.            To set up research centres, sub-stations, pilot projects and farms in different regions of the country for carrying out research of different problems of jute and allied fibre crops, jute products and allied materials.

2.4.            To establish project areas for demonstration of new varieties of jute developed by the Institute and to train the farmers for cultivation of those varieties of jute.

2.5.            To publish annual reports, monographs, bulletins and other literatures relating to jute research and the achievement of the Institute.

2.6.            To organize training of officers and progressive farmers in modern improve method for cultivation of jute and allied fibre (JAF) crops and also to train technical hands for utilization of technological research findings.

2.7.            To do and perform such other activities as may be necessary for the purpose of the Act of BJRI.

3.  Detailed Services/Activities to the Citizens/Clients:

3.1.            Dissemination of technologies (agricultural/industrial) developed by BJRI to the farmers/extension officers and field workers/small and medium entrepreneurs/NGO workers through training, demonstrations and other modern means.

3.2.            Supply of breeder seed to BADC and other private organizations and NGOs for the production of foundation and then certified seed for the farmers.

3.3.            Supply of TLS (Truthfully Labeled Seed) to the progressive farmers for the production of quality fibre.

3.4.            Help the farmers for the production of quality seed through a programme “Nizer Biz Nize Kori”.

3.5.            Train and inspire the farmers for practicing modern technique of jute retting to obtain quality fibre.

3.6.            Provide necessary advice to the farmers to control pests and diseases of jute and allied fibre and seed crops using IPM.

3.7.            Inspire and aware the farmers for using balanced fertilizers to restore soil fertility through training, field days, radio talk etc.

3.8.            Advice the farmers to incorporate jute fibre and seed crops in their cropping pattern to control crop related disease-pests and maintain soil health.

3.9.            Distribute the modern and refined technologies on JAF crops (agricultural and industrial) to the end users as leaflets, booklets, folders etc free of cost.

3.10.        Help in the chemical treatment of ‘Hessians’ for the production of rot proof nursery pots.

3.11.        Provide technical support in bleaching, dying, woolenizing, rot proofing, softening and fire retarding of jute and allied fibre through MoU between BJRI and interested jute related organizations.

3.12.        Provide technical assistance to establish BJRI evolved technology-based industries for the production of jute goods through MoU.

3.13.        Supply of HYV jute seed to the progressive farmers through demonstration plots to aware the general farmers.

3.14.        Deliver any service related to jute through the central, regional and sub-stations of BJRI.

3.15.        Assistance students or research fellows to conduct jute related agricultural and technological experiments for obtaining higher degrees.

3.16.        Deliver any other services declared by the Government.

4.      Details of Customers/Clients:

The major customers/clients for receiving the services provided by BJRI are the jute farmers for producing quality fibre and seed and different entrepreneurs for manufacturing different jute goods in the public and private sector jute industries. Besides other organizations such as BADC, DAE, NGOs, Jute Traders, Jute and Jute Goods Exporters, jute based cottage industries are also being received the services of BJRI.

5. Mechanism of Services Provided to the Citizens/Clients and

Redressal of Grievances:

For receiving the services provided by BJRI needs to be contacted to the Focal point/Contact officer. Besides Director General, Director (Agriculture) and Director (Technology) can also be contacted. Detailed information will also be available at different research stations of BJRI.

A ‘Contact Officer/Focal Point of Citizen’s Charter’ is appointed who is responsible for formulation/implementation of the ‘Citizen’s Charter’ of BJRI. Chief Scientific Officer of Planning, Training and Communication Division will function as focal point and will ensure expeditious redressal of grievances. Every Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, members of the public can meet him/her seeking redressal of their grievances and complaints. He/she will address complaints/grievances of them and send updated information to Office of the Director General regarding redressal of the grievances regularly. Director General will inform the matters to Office of the Agriculture Secretary if it deems necessary. The Board of Directors under the chairmanship of the Director General will review the Citizen’s Charter annually. Other relevant information regarding these activities will be available in the website: www.bjri.gov.bd of BJRI. Complaints from the government agencies can be sent to the focal point through proper channel and complaints from the private organizations can be sent to the focal point directly or through e-mail: info@bjri.gov.bd.

6.  Time-frame of redressal of grievances:

Jute is very important to the economy of Bangladesh. It is a leading cash crop and still a major source of foreign exchange. Jute provides employment to a considerable labour force; at least 30% of the population is involved in raising the crop. The government earns much revenue from the jute sector. The crop itself improves soil fertility, and its sticks are indispensable to the farmers for fuel, fencing and thatching. Jute is used to manufacture traditional products and packaging materials. The industrial products based on jute are environment friendly and have a world-wide popularity. The use of jute for paper pulp and geo-textile has improved the possibilities for extensive global use.

Nevertheless, jute in Bangladesh has started to suffer. Due to uncertain weather conditions, land scarcity, high input cost and an unfavourable jute-rice price ratio, jute is being pushed to less productive land. Low output prices and insufficient marketing support and extension services affect the jute cultivation and the export earnings. Future research on jute should meet those challenges and hence BJRI envisions the following :

i Development of high yielding varieties for favourable ecosystems, with short     duration, early sowing, and light or temperature tolerance. The yield should at least be 3-4 MT per hectare. Recent breakthroughs in biotechnology will be exploited. This will also help to reduce production cost. Emphasis will be given to varieties with improved fibre quality.

ii Development of varieties for adverse environment: reasonably high yielding varieties tolerant to soil salinity, flooding depth of about 30 cm and drought and varieties for coastal and hilly areas and less fertile soil.

iii Refinement of crop, soil, water and fertilizer management technologies. Special emphasis will be given to practices for better utilisation of marginal lands.

iv Strengthening of participatory Jute Farming Systems Research and fine-tuning of jute cropping patterns for different agro-ecological zones and new retting technologies.

v. Improvement of pest management techniques to reduce pest damage to the crops and to make jute more environments friendly and cost-effective.

vi. Strengthening of the linkage between jute agricultural research, extension and farmers as well as the linkage between jute industrial research, pilot scale entrepreneurs and the industry, in order to accelerate the dissemination of new technology.

vii. Establishment of more international links with research organisations of jute producing countries and with industrial countries. The traditional links with IJO will also be strengthened. This will help BJRI scientists to acquire knowledge and enrich their research capabilities.

viii. Development of technology for farm-level quality seed production to meet the HYV seed shortage.

ix.   Development of diversified jute products and fabrication of appropriate materials for diversified products. Cost-effective new jute products are needed for the domestic and international market.

xx.   Generation of industrial technologies like paper pulp for the jute and paper pulp industries and geo-jute for road construction.

Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) became functioning as a small radio-tracer laboratory during 1961, today stands on a solid infrastructure. It is now prepared to face current and future challenges in crop production sector using nuclear and other advanced techniques. Using radiation technique, the institute has already developed 37 improved mutant varieties of different crops have been released by the National Seed Board of Bangladesh for large-scale cultivation in the farmers’ field. Some of the mutant varieties, e.g., Iratom-24, and Binasail of rice, Binamoog-2 and Binamoog-5 of mungbean, Binasarisha-3, Binasarisha-4 and Binasarisha-5 of rapeseed, Binachinabadam-2 and Binachnabadam-3 of groundnut have created economic impact. Further, nuclear techniques have been successfully used to identify seven rhizobial inoculants capable of fixing higher biological nitrogen, and thereby, increasing grain yield of lentil, chickpea, mungbean, cowpea, groundnut and soybean. Moreover, nuclear techniques are being successfully used in pest, soil and water management studies, nutrient uptake researches, organic matter and crop residues study to avoid degeredation and preserve the environment.

However, scientists are facing challenge to transfer the results of research from the laboratory to the field. Useful lessons can be derived from the successful implementation of “Lab to Land” programme of our New Agricultural Extension Policies. Farmers, both men and women, are essentially required to be involved in the use of new technologies. For, it is only with their active participation that we can achieve our goal of sustainable agricultural development. To this effect BINA has a technology transfer programme. New technologies of this institute are made popular to the farmers through on-farm demonstrations all over the country. This massive task is being accomplished through joint collaboration of BINA with Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and NGOs. BINA has also training programmes for scientists, extension personnel, farmers (both men and women) on the improved technologies developed at the institute for higher productivity.

For the outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture, the institute has been awarded “President Gold Medal” in 1979-80. Many of its scientists have received prestigeous medals and certificates, such as “President Medal”, and also from various societies like “Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science,” “Women Scientists Society”, “Kazi Mahbubullah Trust”, etc.

Head Office:

Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) is located in the campus of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The institute is about 5 km from the Mymensingh Railway Station, about 120 km north of Dhaka City and about 100 km from the Zia International Airport, Dhaka.

Sub Stations:

BINA has 5 sub-stations with an annex farm for assessing the wide adaptability/location specific performance of advanced mutant lines ofdifferent crops and other technologies generated by the scientists.

The sub-stations are located at Ishurdi, Rangpur, Magura, Comilla and Satkhira with its annex farm at Jamalpur. The research work at Satkhira sub-station is aimed at the development of salt tolerant varieties along with improved production packages and cropping pattern suitable for the vast coastal areas across the southern belt of Bangladesh.

The functions of the Institute are to-

Chronological Development of BINA:

Management Board and it’s Function:

Constitution of Board:

Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) from its inception in the form of Soil Survey Project of Pakistan (East Wing) in 1961, today at the dawn of new millenium stands on a skill group of natural resource manager. In 1969, Central Soil Research Institute was established as follow up of the Soil Survey Project. After the independence of Bangladesh, Department of Soil Survey was established in 1972 under the Ministry of Agriculture. This organization is the pioneer of assessing land and soil resources of the country through Reconnaissance Soil Survey (RSS) following USDA methodology. The survey was started in 1965 and ended in 1975 with an outcome of 33 volumes of reports. These reports could only be used at district or regional level national resource planning. Afterwards, the department has undertaken detailed and semi-detailed soil survey, special survey of irrigation projects, explanatory soil guide and manual to ensure rational use of soil resource in the country.

In 1983 Soil Resource Development Institute was established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest by reorganizing the then Department of Soil Survey. From 1986 onwards through successful completion of various projects the activities of the institute increased manifold. It is now prepared to face the challenge of future to make a breakthrough in crop production through improved soil management in Bangladesh, though SRDI still has an imbalance organogram.

Name of the Program: Strengthening of Fertilizer Quality Assessment Laboratory
Program Director: Mr. Dr. Md. Taiabur Rahman
Project duration: July 2007 to June 2010

Name of the Program: Strengthening of Farmers Services Through Soil Analysis in Static Laboratories
Program Director: Mr. Md. Mofazzal Haque
Program duration: July 2007 to June 2010

Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories (MSTL):

The programme of Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories (MSTL) started in Bangladesh in 1996 with 2 (two) MSTL named as ‘Padma’ and ‘Meghna’ under the Project of “Soil Testing Management & Development of SRDI” to serve the farmers reaching at the door of them. Four MSTL again procured and now running in SRDI named as Tista, Jamuna, Titas and Rupsha under different laboratories.

1. The mandates of the Institute are as follows (The Bangladesh Gazette, Extra, Oct. 9, 1983):
2. Inventories and survey of soil and land resources.
3. Interpretation and analysis of soil and land resource data (demand driven applied research).
4. Advice and service related to soil.
5. Farmers’ service.
6. Analysis of soil, water, plant, fertilizer and heavy metal including Arsenic.
7. Quality control of soil analytical services done by laboratories of GO/NGOs.

The functions of the Soil Resource Development Institute are as follows:

1. Reconnaissance Soil Survey of the whole country on the basis of aerial photo interpretation and field and laboratory investigation of soils;
   b) Detailed/Semi-detailed soil surveys of development project areas and research farms for various beneficiary agencies;
2. Soil surveys to evaluate irrigation command areas and cropping potentials;
3. Soil surveys for locating areas of problem soils (e.g., toxic, saline, alkaline or
   peat soils),soil degradation and erosion (in watershed region) for planning reclamation or watershed management;
4. Correlation of soils conducted under various surveys;
5. Chemical analysis of soil, water and plant samples to verify and clarify the field observation;
6. Analysis of chemical and organic fertilizers to ensure the quality of fertilizers as backup for policy makers;
7. Physical and mineralogical and microbial analysis of soils of the country;
8. Interpretation of aerial photos, land sat imageries and topographic maps for soil and land use surveys;
9. Preparation of various maps and reports on the above-mentioned surveys for publication;
10. Services to the development agencies by providing basic data on soils, land capability and crop suitability for preparation of both short and long-term agricultural development plans;
11. Coordination with the beneficiary agencies at local, regional or national levels regarding planning and execution of land use development progrmmes;
12. Provision of simplified guides on soils and agricultural development possibilities for each Upazila for agricultural extension and research workers;
13. Provision of soil data for planning irrigation, drainage and reclamation projects;
14. Selection of suitable sites for specific research/development activities;
15. Imparting in-service training to the newly recruited technical officers on soil survey, land use planning, cropping potential, etc. and refreshers training to keep the technical officers of the department apprised and acquainted with the up-to date knowledge;
16. Training of agricultural extension and research workers of various levels on proper utilization of soil survey information. Imparting basic training on various aspects of soils to the students of the agricultural institutions. (Source: Gazette Notification, October, 1983);
17. Render services to farmers and others by analyzing soil, plant, water and fertilizer samples and recommend location specific fertilizer doses on the basis of soil testing and crop requirements;
18. Assist in introducing and executing the ‘Soil Health Card Programme’ proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture;
19. Provide assistance in regular monitoring of soil fertility and land productivity activities throughout the country;
20. Study the soil moisture characteristics in the laboratory to ascertain irrigation needs of different crops;
21. Launch a regular programme for the training of field level extension workers regarding soil analytical results, ‘Soil Health Card Programme’, Use of Upazila Guide for the recommendation of fertilizers on the basis of soil analytical data;
22. Investigate soil fertility degradation problem, nutrient related problems of crops, soil moisture stress and constraints in crop production etc.

1. Inventing of soil information to manage cultivation and sustain fertility of soil and productivity of crop.
2. Soil conservation by managing hilly and saline soils.

Divisions:

1. Development Division
Development division headed by Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and consists of 4 (four) Regional offices viz. Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna Regional Office headed by Principal Scientific Officer (PSO). There are 5 (five) District offices headed by Senior Scientific Officer (SSO) under every Regional Office.

Functions:
Planning, Co-ordination and supervision of all technical programmes and activities of the Regional and District Offices under Development Division. Review and/or editing of all technical reports prepared by regional/District offices under the Division. Co-ordination with allied Government/Autonomous/other agencies in national programme on agricultural development, e.g. ITAP, IRCP, Thana Land Use Development Planning, etc.

Regional Office:
Overall planning, co-ordination and supervision of the technical and administrative affairs of the Regional and District offices. Responsible for progress of work of respective Regional and District offices. Co-ordination with the beneficiary agencies like Directorate of Agriculture Extension (DAE), BARI, BADC, BRRI, Cotton Development Board, etc, at the Regional level regarding planning and execution of agricultureal development programmes where information of soils, land use, land capability, crop suitability are required. Maintaining liaison with the regional Technical Co-ordination Committee and other allied committee/bodies by providing technical assistance, advice, etc, on soil matter. Providing guidelines for and monitoring preparation of all technical reports concerning Soils, Land use, water resource, etc, by the District Offices, e.g Thana Soil Guide, suitable areas for specific crops/land use, etc. Planning and supervision of on field soil investigation programme such as groundwater monitoring, study on residual soil moisture status on different soil tracts, etc.

District Office:
Executing and implementing the technical activities as per instruction from the Regional offices. Preparing thana guides with basic soil information for the Thana Land Use Development Planning. Assisting beneficiary agencies like Department of Agriculture Extension, BARI, BRRI, etc, at district level with information and advice on matters relating to soils, land use, crop suitability, etc. Maintaining liaison with District Technical Co-ordination committees and the District Development Co-ordination Committees by providing soil information of respective district for the agricultural and other land use development. Survey of deep tube-well command areas to evaluate irrigation efficiency and suggest improved cropping patterns. Small-scale soil investigation works including soil-moisture studies, groundwater monitoring, etc.

Survey Division consists of 3 (three) sections viz. Soil and Land Classification Survey Section, Soil Survey Interpretation Section and Soil Correlation Section headed by Principal Scientific Officer (PSO) at head quarter.

Functions:
Planning, co-ordination and supervision of all technical programmes and activities of the component sections. Review and/or editing of all technical reports prepared by the component sections. Co-ordination with allied Government, Autonomous/other agencies in national programmes on soil and land resource evaluation and land utilization planning. Correlation of soils and soil and land classification surveys at national level. Responsible for overall technical porgress of the Division. . Field investigation of soil problems. Assistance to the Director in general and technical administration of the Division.

Technical Support Services Division

Technical Support Services Division consists of 5 (five) sections viz. Laboratory Section headed by Principal Scientific Officer (PSO), Training Section headed by Principal Scientific Officer (PSO), Catography Section headed by Senior Cartographer, Publication and Record Section headed by Publication & Liaison Officer and Data Processing & Statistical Section (DPSS) at head quarter.

Functions:
Planning, coordination and supervision of all technical programmes and activities of the component sections. Review and/or editing of all technical reports and maps prepared by the Division. Co-ordination with allied Government/Autonomous/other agencies in research/investigations employing physical and chemical analyses as well as adaptive research works about crop and soil-moisture relationships. Responsible for overall technical progress of the Division. Assistance to Director in gen

Soil Testing Division headed by Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and consists of 4 (four) Regional Laboratories viz. Dhaka, Comilla, Rajshahi and Khulna Regional Office headed by Principal Scientific Officer (PSO). These laboratories were transffered from BARI in 1994.

Soil, plant and water samples analyses to evaluate diagnostic problems, nutrient balance, lime and fertilizers requirement of crops.Based on soil analytical results and nutrient status soils supplied from farmers, location specific fertilizer recommendation card have beed provided.

There are 2 (two) research stations, one at Bandarban names Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Center (SCWMC) for conducting research in hilly areas about soil erosion and soil conservation and another at Botiaghata, Khulna named Salinity Management and Research Center (SMRC) to select crop/ cropping pattern suitable for coastal areas and to conduc

Adminstration Section headed by Assistant Director consists of 3 Branch viz. Administrative Branch, Accounts Branch and Store Branch.