Invest in our villages

When we consider the effects of development, oftentimes, we tend to focus only on the urban areas.

But true development can only come about if every single individual in the country has access to the services which have come about as a result of this development, and that can only happen if our focus remains not only on our cities, but also on our villages. 

Moving forward, rural development will be key for sustainable development as many of the issues we are trying to resolve -- such as hunger and poverty and the detrimental effects of climate change -- affect people living in rural areas. 

Our agricultural sector is one of the primary driving forces of the economy, and with small farmers producing 30% of the world’s food, it is imperative that we ensure that our rural landscapes are taken care of.

A lack of services in rural areas is also one of the primary reasons behind the overpopulation which plagues Dhaka, with millions of people coming to the capital to seek opportunities. 

We must generate investment for our rural people and ensure that, in the coming years, they are taken care of, not only in terms of access to basic services such as health care, education, and power, but also opportunities which allow them to seek jobs and sustain themselves and their families. 

The government has, of course, done this to a great degree, as our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals has shown, but we must renew this pledge as the world moves faster towards an unpredictable economy and the looming threat of climate change. 

As we get closer to shedding our LDC tag, let us make it such that the whole country can enjoy the fruits of development.