Agriculture in Bangladesh

: . ,Prepared by M Muniruzzaman, . Lecturer Dept O f Sociology and

, Anthropology Green University of Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Agriculture at a Glance 

Total area: 14.845 million hectares Cultivable land: 8 million hectares Current fallow land: 0.469m hectares Annual Food Production: 31.9m MT Annual Food demand : 31.9m MT

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Strategies:

Self-sufficiency in food: 2012 Ensuring food security: 2017(a+a+n) Middle Income Country: 2022 *(a+a+n=Availability, accessibility and nutrition)

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Characteristics of Bangladesh Characteristics of Bangladesh AgricultureAgriculture Irrigated land 56% Surface water:21% groundwater:79% Land-man ratio: .06 ha Mainly subsistence farming Inadequate agro-processing Non-mechanized farming Fragmented land/plots Dependence largely on nature

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Importance of agricultureImportance of agriculture 21% GDP 48% labor force Source of raw materials as backward and

forward linkage for agro based industries Agriculture determines people’s lives and

livelihood of this region People living in rural areas 77% Export value 12%

Some challenges

Population growth rate1.48% Climate change and variations Rapid urbanization growth @12% Agricultural research and education (manpower

shortage, updating course curriculum) Technology generation (needs expertise, time and

money) Technology dissemination (needs expertise, time, logistics support) Alternate livelihoods/rehabilitation program Inadequate value addition /food processing

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Challenges continued…Challenges continued…

Climate change adaptation & mitigation Developing stress tolerant varieties Transferring updated information and technologies to

the field Attaining irrigation efficiency Regaining soil fertility and natural ingredients Research-extension-farmer-market linkage Shortage of Agril labour at peak seasons

Prospects of Agriculture

Scope for expanding hybrid technology exists(10%) Prospects for adoption of advanced technology in

agriculture are bright Potentials for proper utilization of hilly/coastal areas

including agro-ecologically disadvantaged regions exist

Export potentials exist for high-value crops Scope for crop diversification, intensification and

value addition to agricultural produces Agriculture sector has capacity to absorb labor force

and to generate income.

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Why Climate Change matters for Why Climate Change matters for agriculture?agriculture?

Heavily depends on natural rainfall, weather & temperature, water level, soil condition etc.

Uncontrolled farming environment Rice based agriculture greatly depends availability

of fresh surface and ground water Seasonal farming Lack of stress tolerant varieties Changed cropping pattern

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Types of climate change Types of climate change problemsproblems Sea Level Rise (SLR) Floods Riverbank erosion Drought Salinity intrusion Loss of homestead and livelihoods Land scarcity

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Factors related to climate Factors related to climate changechange Indiscriminate use of natural resources Excessive and unplanned urbanization Unplanned industrial growth Imbalanced use of agricultural inputs and

extreme farming Population pressure Effect of industrial pollution by developed

countries

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Combating Climate Change Combating Climate Change ImpactImpact

Adaptation:Stress (flood, drought, submergence, salinity, heat, cold..) tolerant varieties

Short duration cropsInnovative farming practicesFloating cultivation methodCrop diversificationChanging/shifting cropping patternAlternate wetting and drying irrigation methods

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Continued…Continued…Mitigation

Coastal green beltEmbankment/DamTidal River ManagementEarly warning and weather forecasting

Cyclone sheltersCrop insurance

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Collective efforts neededCollective efforts needed Political commitment Educational Institutions Civil society NGOs Media Research organizations Department of Agricultural Extension/Extension

service providers Global cooperation

Government’s recent interventions

Farmers database and Farmers Inputs Support Card to 1 Crore 82 Lakh farmers.

Increased subsidy on Agricultural Inputs (Fertilizer, diesel, electricity, seeds)

Farmer friendly agricultural credit policy 1 Crore 82 Lakh farmers’ new bank accounts being

opened 100 Hr. free supplementary irrigation Enhanced Agricultural rehab grants to victims of

natural calamities Support for accelerated mechanization of agriculture Surface water irrigation

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Conclusion: Agriculture is the determining factor for food

security as well as pro-poor development of Bangladesh economy.The Problems of agriculture are multifaceted. So the ways of addressing the challenges should be comprehensive, global and participatory for sustainable agricultural development.

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