STRATEGY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH: A REVIEW

This comprehensive review examines the evolution of rural development strategies in Bangladesh from independence through the mid-1980s, analyzing conceptual frameworks, implementation approaches, and developmental outcomes. The article explores how rural development thinking has evolved from early welfare-oriented approaches to more integrated and participatory models. The research investigates major rural development programs and initiatives, including the Comilla Model, Integrated Rural Development Program, various food-for-work schemes, and microcredit innovations. The study assesses the institutional framework for rural development, analyzing the roles of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, international donors, and local government bodies. The article evaluates the impact of rural development strategies on key indicators including poverty reduction, agricultural productivity, rural employment, and social empowerment. The research also identifies persistent challenges in rural development and proposes strategic directions for more effective and sustainable rural transformation in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the analysis draws lessons from Bangladesh's rural development experience for other developing countries.

Rural development has represented a central focus of development strategy in Bangladesh since independence, with this article providing a comprehensive review of strategic approaches and outcomes up to the mid-1980s. The research begins by examining the evolution of rural development thinking in Bangladesh, tracing the conceptual journey from early welfare and relief approaches through integrated rural development models to emerging participatory and empowerment-oriented frameworks. The analysis explores major rural development programs and initiatives, assessing the Comilla Model's emphasis on cooperative organization, the Integrated Rural Development Program's multi-sectoral approach, various food-for-work and rural infrastructure schemes, and the innovative microcredit programs pioneered by organizations like Grameen Bank. The article investigates the institutional framework for rural development, analyzing the roles of government ministries and agencies, the expanding contribution of non-governmental organizations, the influence of international development partners, and the evolving system of local government institutions. The study evaluates the impact of rural development strategies on key development indicators, assessing progress in poverty reduction, agricultural productivity growth, rural employment generation, and social indicators including literacy, health, and women's empowerment. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both significant achievements and persistent challenges in rural development and proposes strategic directions for addressing remaining obstacles including land inequality, environmental vulnerabilities, and institutional limitations. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex process of rural transformation in densely populated agrarian economies and contribute to understanding how integrated approaches can address the multi-dimensional nature of rural poverty and underdevelopment.