Promoting Agri- Machinery Producing Sector in Bogra

Abstract

In this article, Dr. M. Azizur Rahman explores the significant potential of the light engineering sector in Bogra, which has emerged as a national hub for agricultural machinery production. The author highlights that Bogra's workshops and small-scale industries now meet a substantial portion of the country's demand for spare parts and machinery, such as irrigation pumps, shallow engines, and power tiller parts. Despite this local innovation and the sector's contribution to reducing import dependency, it faces challenges including a lack of modern technology, high raw material costs, and inadequate gas and electricity supply.Dr. Rahman argues for a "Big-Push" in government support to transition this informal cluster into a formalized industrial sector. He recommends establishing a specialized industrial park for light engineering, providing low-interest loans to local entrepreneurs, and investing in technical training centers to develop a skilled workforce. The article concludes that promoting Bogra's agri-machinery sector is vital not only for regional development in North Bengal but also for ensuring national food security and achieving industrial self-reliance.