Govt reduced rate of poverty significantly: Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque today said the government has significantly reduced the rate of poverty and extreme poverty as promised in the election manifesto of 2008.
"We have halved the poverty rate," he said, adding that the achievement in reducing the rate of extreme poverty is commendable."
Razzaque was addressing the launch of the PPEPP-EU project by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) at its auditorium as chief guest.
The minister candidly acknowledged that certain areas, including coastal regions, hoar areas, and hill tracts, experience higher rate of poverty and extreme poverty compared to the national average.
He attributed this disparity to the unfavourable conditions for agricultural activities.
According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey-2022 conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the poverty rate is approximately 18 percent and extreme poverty 5.60 percent.
Extreme poverty is more prevalent in rural areas with a rate of 6.50 percent. It is 3.80 percent in urban areas.
Highlighting the achievement of self-sufficiency in food production, the minister said the government has placed the highest priority on agriculture and has provided subsidies and incentives to support this sector.
Despite the income disparity between rural and urban areas, along with the persistence of malnutrition and hunger in certain parts of the country, Razzaque said there has been a substantial increase in people's income and living standards.
Addressing the event, Charles Whiteley, ambassador and head of the delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, expressed EU's pride in being a partner in efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality in Bangladesh.
He said even though Bangladesh has made remarkable achievements in economic infrastructure and human development in recent decades, this alone does not guarantee a sustainable escape from poverty.
Whiteley pointed out that certain gaps persist, particularly in the coastal belt, where poverty remains prevalent.
He emphasised that the people in these areas lack access to essential public services, such as nutritious food, education, healthcare, safe drinking water, and sanitation.
He said the government must work closely to address these challenges and bring down these gaps.
PKSF Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad highlighted the organisation's numerous efforts aimed at reducing poverty and achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Recognising climate change as a significant obstacle to sustainable development, he stressed the importance of awareness and action regarding climate change. He mentioned their collaboration with NGOs to address this issue.
During the event, PPEPP-EU Project Director Sharif Ahmed Chowdhury delivered a presentation on the project while Golam Touhid, senior deputy managing director at the PKSF, and Nomita Halder, managing director of the PKSF spoke at the event, among others.