ZIA'S FIRST STEP OF REVOLUTION DOUBLING OF FOOD PRODUCTION

This study examines President Ziaur Rahman's ambitious initiative to double food production in Bangladesh as the "first step of revolution" in the country's development trajectory. The article analyzes the comprehensive agricultural strategy implemented under Zia's leadership to achieve food self-sufficiency and transform Bangladesh from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation. The research investigates the policy framework, technological interventions, institutional mechanisms, and implementation strategies employed to boost agricultural productivity. The study examines the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, promotion of high-yield variety seeds, fertilizer distribution systems, and agricultural credit programs that formed the core of the food production revolution. The article assesses the role of agricultural research and extension services in disseminating modern farming techniques to rural communities. The research also analyzes the impact of these initiatives on farm incomes, rural employment, and overall food security in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the study evaluates the sustainability of the agricultural transformation and its contribution to broader economic development objectives during Zia's administration.

The drive to double food production represented a cornerstone of President Ziaur Rahman's development strategy, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of this ambitious agricultural transformation initiative. The research begins by examining the historical context of food production in Bangladesh, considering the legacy of colonial agricultural policies, the challenges of the post-independence period, and the persistent threat of famine that had haunted the region. The analysis explores the conceptual framework behind Zia's food production revolution, examining how it integrated technological innovation, institutional reform, and farmer mobilization. The article investigates the specific policy measures implemented to boost agricultural productivity, including the expansion of irrigation infrastructure through deep tube wells, low-lift pumps, and canal irrigation systems. The study examines the seed revolution that introduced high-yield varieties of rice and other crops, analyzing the research and distribution systems that supported this transformation. The research assesses the fertilizer distribution network and subsidy policies that made essential inputs accessible to small and marginal farmers. The article analyzes the agricultural credit system that provided working capital to farmers, examining institutional innovations like the Krishi Bank and cooperative credit societies. The study investigates the extension services that brought modern agricultural knowledge to village-level producers, considering both government programs and non-governmental initiatives. The research evaluates the impact of the food production revolution on various stakeholders, including landowning farmers, sharecroppers, agricultural laborers, and rural women. The analysis examines the outcomes of these initiatives through statistical data on crop yields, cultivated areas, and overall food production trends during Zia's administration. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article considers the broader implications of the food production revolution for rural poverty reduction, economic growth, and national food security. The findings provide important insights into how agricultural transformation can drive overall development in agrarian societies and contribute to understanding the relationship between political leadership, technological innovation, and agricultural development.