Abstract
Human resource development assumes as a golden key for a knowledge-based economy and competitiveness. This study evaluates policy integration of human resource development (HRD) in agricultural sector within the context of multi-level governance (i.e., interdependence of administrative levels in decision making) and suggests means to enhance policy integration in Bangladesh. Conducting a critical review of major policy instruments, key informant interview and two case studies, this study concluded that HRD issue has fairly included and observed consistency (between the aim of HRD and policy) in all policies and strategies; majority of policy instruments have significantly addressed the significance of HRD and added plans for its development; reporting, monitoring and evaluation of policies and strategies are rather weak and there is no adequate flow of financial arrangement that is largely determined by the availability of government project. Based on the findings, the following means should be useful for improving HRD policy integration such as providing a handsome amount of development budget at the sub-district agricultural office, formulating coherent strategies to build effective cooperation, coordination and participation among stakeholders, initiating special capacity building programmes for rural women, young farmers and smallholders and mainstreaming HRD issue in governmental planning and programmes, and accordingly crafting policies and implementation.
Highlights
Bangladesh has an agrarian structure dominated by the smallholders who are heavily involved with rice farming
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of policy integration of human resource development (PIHRD) in agriculture sector within the context of multi-level governance
Horizontal Policy Integration at the National Level1. This type of policy integration can be measured through analysing cross-sectoral policy instruments
Summary
Bangladesh has an agrarian structure dominated by the smallholders who are heavily involved with rice farming. Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy as it contributes to about 18.6% of the country’s GDP and employs around half of the total labour force [1] This sector, country’s rice economy has made notable progress [2] [3]. Overall, country’s agriculture is at the crossroads [5]-[7], due to conventional farming since time immemorial, indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, declination of natural resource and visible impacts of climate change. These constrains require calibrated policy responses to achieve farming sustainability and feed the ever-growing population. In the context of environmental uncertainty, many researchers e.g., [8]-[10] reported that human capital (e.g., adaptive capacity) development is one of the best solutions for promoting sustainable agricultural development in Bangladesh
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
