Only about two and a half years after winning the Independence through a disruptive war, rehabilitation assisted by massive UN relief operations, a grave misfortune struck Bangladesh due to devastating floods and loss of all crops in 1974. Severe food shortage and no food assistance being available from the international community, disastrous famine followed perishing hundreds of thousands of people. Undaunted, the Government resolved to achieve self reliance in food production starting the well known Swanirvar Movement through a Swanirvar Cell headed by a Special Secretary to the Government under the Ministry of Agriculture. Its main task was providing motivational leadership, implementation in the field spear headed by the Deputy Commissioners of the then 19 Districts of Bangladesh.