Rangpur: The recurring seasonal unemployment crisis, locally known as 'Monga', has been effectively eradicated from the Rangpur region through sustained government initiatives and comprehensive poverty alleviation programmes. Even a decade and a half ago, the poor and working-class people had to endure hardships during this seasonal lean period of 'Ashwin' and 'Kartik', but they are now experiencing improved living conditions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this success has been achieved through the implementation of a continuous and wide range of programmes. Dr Syed Shamsuzzaman, chairman of the research organisation 'Northbengal Institute of Development Studies', credited the government's massive social safety-net programmes (SSNPs) and other efforts for significantly improving the living standards of the poor, helping them to overcome 'Monga'.
The expanded cultivation of short-duration Aman rice, coupled with initiatives like Test Relief, Food for Work, Works for Taka, Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), and other projects, have played a vital role in ensuring food security for the poor. Additionally, rehabilitations of homeless people, training and micro-credits for income-generating activities (IGAs), allowances, and other programmes have assisted the poor in improving their livelihoods.
Dr Samsuzzaman noted that 'Monga' has become a historical term due to its permanent eradication following the successful implementation of these programmes. Agriculturist Dr MA Mazid, a recipient of the Independence Award 2018 Medal (Food Security), highlighted the role of increased cultivation of short-term Aman rice and comprehensive SSNP in combating 'Monga'. The early harvesting of short-duration Aman rice during 'Ashwin' and 'Kartik' has generated numerous jobs for the poor, contributing to improved livelihoods.
Md Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE for the Rangpur agricultural region, reported that farmers have cultivated Aman rice on 621,505 hectares of land across all five districts of the region this season, with short-duration varieties covering over 62,000 hectares. The harvesting of these crops has already created substantial employment opportunities for the poor and farm-laborers.
Islam also mentioned that after harvesting short-duration Aman rice, farmers are planting early varieties of potato, mustard, vegetables, and other winter crops, thereby generating more jobs for farm workers. Md Abdul Faruk, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development, added that over 40,000 unemployed youths have received training and interest-free loans in Rangpur, enabling them to become self-reliant through IGAs.
Shahidur Rahman Suman, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Rural Development Board for Rangpur, said that various projects have made rural families, small and marginal farmers self-reliant through IGAs, helping them overcome extreme poverty. Mahidul Islam, Senior Officer of Rangpur Palli Sanchay Bank (PSB), stated that around 45,000 rural beneficiaries, including 30,000 women, have become solvent through IGAs with PSB easy-term loans.
Mohaimin Islam Maruf, Chairman of Betgari union in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, confirmed that SSNPs, small-scale enterprises, cottage industries, livestock, and other IGAs, along with the expanded cultivation of short-duration Aman rice, have permanently eradicated 'Monga' in the region.