Poor agro-marketing system
For many decades, all regimes had been trying to improve the situation with various schemes and projects, but the overall improvement is hardly noticeable or long-lasting. It is a management issue, not a high-tech one needing costly import of equipment or consultants. It is a common problem in all agricultural countries, specially those in the third world. The UN agencies are well aware of the problems of implementation, and the ministries are well informed to brief the donors of the conditions. Then where is the bug?
Human factors, specially political interference and/or influence, direct or through the back doors, is a well established informal practice for generations. The ball is in the court of the politicians, in or out of power, at the metropolis, or at the local level.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. These days it is worse, due to two factors, absence of political consensus at the national level; and, the cult of terrorism and violence which apparently runs politics today. There are two main areas of erosion : no respect for discipline and rules; and, breakdown of the monitoring and regulatory roles (bribery and corrupt practices -- Bangladesh is No 1 in corruption for the last four years, according to TI; what a shame!). Further frustration: the delays in the courts to settle cases quickly to act as deterrent. Now there are complaints that there are small 'black holes' in the quick-action courts.
The irony is that the politicians in position and in the opposition, keep busy amongst themselves in internal conflicts, so that there is not enough energy left for attending to routine public services, which is their main task and responsibility (not infighting).
No prize for a new political system which works in the LDCs? We have "Development Economics", and now degree is available at some private universities in Bangladesh on "Development Studies". But how to develop the politicians in the way the citizens and voters like, not the way the powerful politicians wish to develop and control everything?
There are problems with the worker, method, tools, and the practice.