A prosperous countryside will build a developed Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that alongside the government, active public participation, innovative initiatives, and coordinated efforts will make the country's rural areas more modern, productive, and prosperous. And that prosperous countryside will build an advanced, dignified, and prosperous Bangladesh.

He made these remarks in a message issued today (Sunday) on the occasion of "National Rural Development Day-2026" tomorrow.

The Prime Minister said, "The current government wants to involve every citizen of the country in the mainstream of development to establish a just, participatory, and welfare-oriented state system. To achieve this goal, villages and rural areas are being considered the foundation of national development. Because without developed rural areas, building a prosperous Bangladesh is not possible. To further strengthen this goal, the initiative to observe 'National Rural Development Day-2026' has been taken for the first time in the country."

He said, "This year's theme—'Developed Villages, Prosperous Country, Bangladesh First'—is aligned with the government's development philosophy and the people's aspirations. The heart of Bangladesh's economy, culture, and social life is the village. About 68 percent of the country's population lives in villages and contributes significantly to national development through agriculture, small enterprises, cottage industries, and local economic activities."

In his message, Tarique Rahman said, "Rural development is not just a sectoral program; it is one of the main foundations for building a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Bangladesh. Through improving the living standards of rural people, increasing productivity, creating employment, and making optimal use of local resources, it is possible to make the country's overall development more dynamic and sustainable."

He said, "The great proclaimer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, formulated a far-reaching outline for national development by announcing the 19-point program in 1977. One of its main objectives was to strengthen the rural and national economy through agricultural development, women's empowerment, organizing the youth, decentralizing administration and development activities, strengthening local government, and achieving food self-sufficiency."

He said, "The 'Gram Sarkar' (Village Government) system, introduced to form farmer organizations, expand cooperative activities, excavate canals, develop irrigation and agricultural infrastructure, create rural employment, and involve grassroots people in development activities, gave new momentum to local development."

The Prime Minister said, "Continuing the development philosophy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, priority was given to rural infrastructure development, increasing agricultural production, and poverty alleviation. During this time, initiatives were taken to strengthen the rural economy through the development of rural roads, bridges, and communication systems, making agricultural inputs easily available, expanding irrigation, waiving agricultural loans, and implementing microcredit and income-generating programs."

Tarique Rahman added that after more than a decade and a half, the current elected government has taken office, reflecting the people's aspirations. As part of implementing the national commitment (Election Manifesto-2026), the government has begun implementing various programs, including farmer cards, family cards, canal re-excavation, agricultural loan waivers, rural infrastructure development, and skill enhancement for women and youth.

The Prime Minister called upon all departments and agencies under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and all concerned to work with dedication and sincerity to build a prosperous, self-reliant, inclusive, and sustainable rural Bangladesh.

Wishing success for all programs undertaken on the occasion of "National Rural Development Day-2026," he said this day will further accelerate the progress of rural development. He also extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all rural residents of the country.
He said, "The 'Gram Sarkar' (Village Government) system, introduced to form farmer organizations, expand cooperative activities, excavate canals, develop irrigation and agricultural infrastructure, create rural employment, and involve grassroots people in development activities, gave new momentum to local development."

The Prime Minister said, "Continuing the development philosophy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, priority was given to rural infrastructure development, increasing agricultural production, and poverty alleviation. During this time, initiatives were taken to strengthen the rural economy through the development of rural roads, bridges, and communication systems, making agricultural inputs easily available, expanding irrigation, waiving agricultural loans, and implementing microcredit and income-generating programs."

Tarique Rahman informed that after more than a decade and a half, the current elected government has taken office, reflecting the people's aspirations. As part of implementing the national commitment (Election Manifesto-2026), the government has begun implementing various programs, including farmer cards, family cards, canal re-excavation, agricultural loan waivers, rural infrastructure development, and skill enhancement for women and youth.

The Prime Minister called upon all departments and agencies under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and all concerned to work with dedication and sincerity to build a prosperous, self-reliant, inclusive, and sustainable rural Bangladesh.

Wishing success for all programs undertaken on the occasion of "National Rural Development Day-2026," he said this day will further accelerate the progress of rural development. He also extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all rural residents of the country.