Silent Revolution in Agriculture

The English equivalent of the Bengali word "Krishi" is "agriculture." The word is derived from the Latin words azero and cultura. Its literal meaning is tillage while the Bengali word is agriculture. According to the literal meaning, the cultivation of crops and tree planting are directly included in agricultural activities. Animal husbandry and fish farming are closely related to this. Therefore, by agriculture sector we understand crops, fisheries, forestry and livestock sub-sectors together.

Currently, agriculture contributes 12 percent to the country's GDP, and the share of agricultural products in total exports is approximately 3 percent. With the addition of frozen fish and jute products, the contribution of agriculture to total exports increases to about 7 percent. Even now, about 40 percent of the country's workforce is employed in the agricultural sector. Progress in industry and services largely depends on the advancement of the agriculture sector. Therefore, the development of the agricultural sector is crucial for overall development in the country.

Recently, the most visible economic progress has occurred in various sectors of the country, with agriculture being the most prominent. In the past, Bangladesh was a net food-deficit country. In this region, the annual average food import was between 1.5 to 2 million tons. During the Liberation War, agricultural production in the country was severely disrupted. As a result, in the 1971-72 fiscal year, the quantity of food deficit in the country increased to 3 million tons, accounting for almost thirty percent of total production. Currently, the deficit has decreased to less than 15 percent.

After independence, the total food grain production in the country was 10 million tons. Now, it has increased to over 46 million tons. In the last 52 years, the country's food grain production has increased at an average rate of nearly 3 percent per year. Farmers who were once in food deficit are now surplus producers. Workers who used to demand a daily wage equivalent to 3 kilograms of rice now earn a daily wage equivalent to 10 kilograms of rice.

Farmers or workers, no one experiences a shortage of food. No one goes hungry. Agricultural production has multiplied in the fields. Currently, Bangladesh ranks third in rice production globally. The country excels in the development and cultivation of various crop varieties. In addition, Bangladesh holds the second position in jute production, the third position in vegetable production, the second position in aquaculture, the seventh position in wheat production, and the eighth position in potato production, according to various sources.

Since independence, rice production has increased nearly fourfold, wheat production has doubled, corn production has increased tenfold, and vegetable production has increased fivefold. Bangladesh has made significant progress in the production of potatoes, fish, meat, and eggs. The country has overcome chronic famine, scarcity, and malnutrition, achieving enviable progress in food production and supply. Every year, the population of the country is increasing by 2 million. Despite a reduction in agricultural land by 800,000 hectares, per capita supply of agricultural products is not decreasing. On the contrary, it is continuously increasing.

After independence, in 1972, the per capita availability of food grains in Bangladesh was 456 grams per day. By the year 2000, it increased to 522 grams, and in 2020, it further rose to 687 grams per day. This increase can be attributed to rapid internal production growth. Recently, new technologies have cast their shadow on our agricultural fields. Traditional farming at the subsistence level has now transformed into commercial agriculture. A silent revolution is taking place in every sub-sector of agriculture.

The current government has designated the agriculture sector as the top priority to achieve food self-sufficiency in the country by the year 2030. There has been a consistent effort to reduce the prices of chemical fertilizers, enhancing the purchasing power of farmers. Since the 2008-09 fiscal year, the price of urea fertilizer has been reduced in multiple phases, starting at Tk 16 per kilogram. The prices of TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) fertilizer have been reduced from Tk 80 to Tk 22, MOP (Muriate of Potash) from Tk 70 to Tk 15, and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) from Tk 90 to Tk 16. Currently, these prices are fixed at Tk 27 (urea), Tk 27 (TSP), Tk 20 (MOP), and Tk 21 (DAP) per kilogram.

In the last 15 years (from 2008-09 to 2022-23), subsidies have been provided exclusively for fertilizers, amounting to Tk 1,19,837 crore. Last year, the subsidy amount was approximately Tk 28,000 crore. For irrigation, a 20 percent subsidy has been initiated on electricity consumption. Additionally, 50 percent (70 percent in specific areas) of the subsidy is allocated for the sale of agricultural machinery at a subsidized price. About 2 percent of the total budget is spent on agricultural subsidies.

Moreover, there has been a rapid reduction in the interest rate on agricultural loans. Currently, the maximum interest rate on agricultural loans is 9 percent. The interest rate is 4 percent for spice crops, 5 percent for dairy farming, and 5 percent for irrigation. Subsidies for irrigated land have been increased to 74 percent. A significant portion, 85 percent, of paddy cultivation is now under the coverage of high-yielding varieties, leading to rapid growth in food grain production. As a result, there has been a rapid increase in food grain production. Food security has been accelerated.

The significant increase in potato cultivation, especially after meeting the demand for staple foods, is noteworthy. The daily per capita demand for potatoes in the country is around 70 grams, with a substantial surplus. At the beginning of the current century, our total potato production was approximately half a million tons. Now, it has exceeded 1.9 million tons. Bangladesh is now exporting potatoes abroad, contributing to an annual income of approximately 200 million dollars.


Furthermore, along with the increase in potato production, its usage has become diversified. Previously, potatoes were mainly used as a vegetable. Now, they are widely accepted as chips and potato crackers. Like people in other countries, many Bangladeshis also prefer roasted potatoes as a staple food. Over the past 20 years, there has been an average annual growth of nearly 7 percent in potato production.

Another significant success has been achieved in vegetable production as a major accomplishment in food crops. From the fiscal year 2008-09 to 2020-21, the annual growth rate of vegetable production has averaged 5 percent. After China and India, Bangladesh ranks third globally in vegetable production. With favorable vegetable prices in the market at the beginning of the season and the widespread export of vegetables to various countries, farmers in the country are now enthusiastic about vegetable cultivation. Many educated young individuals are expressing interest in modern vegetable farming. They are taking loans from banks and establishing their vegetable farms as part of their own initiatives.

Recently, notable progress has been made in fruit production in Bangladesh. Currently, the country's fruit production is around 130 million tons. In fruit production, Bangladesh ranks among the top 10 countries globally. Over the past two decades, the growth rate of fruit production in the country has been consistently above 11 percent annually. The rapid increase in production has led to a significant improvement in fruit availability. In 2006, the per capita daily fruit consumption in our country was 55 grams, and by 2018, it had increased to 85 grams. Despite this, there has been a slight decline in our nutritional intake.

Currently, mango production in our country has significantly increased. Mango orchards in Rajshahi, Nawabganj, and Dinajpur, known for their long-standing tradition of mango cultivation, are now joined by extensive mango cultivation in Satkhira and the hilly areas of Chittagong. Additionally, many paddy fields in the Barind region have been transformed into mango orchards. Apart from traditional mango cultivation, new fruits such as strawberry are being grown in various regions of the country. There is also an increasing cultivation of rambutan, dragon fruit, and avocado. People are consuming more Kazi pears instead of apples, contributing to a reduction in the import of foreign fruits. This is positively impacting our foreign exchange reserves.

In this country, the main cash crop is jute. Although the acreage dedicated to jute cultivation has decreased over the years, the production per acre has increased. The unveiling of the mystery of jute genome in 2010 has contributed to a more favorable environment for its cultivation. The demand for jute in the global market is on the rise. This growth is leading to an increase in foreign currency earnings from jute and jute-related products.

Even during the recent pandemic, the international and domestic markets for jute remained quite active. Currently, the price of raw jute per maund at the farmer's level ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 Bangladeshi Taka. This is a reasonably profitable price. Presently, the annual jute production in the country is between 7.5 to 8.5 million bales. In the future, its production is expected to increase further. In the distant future, our jute fields will once again play a significant role.

Not only in the cereal sector but in all branches of agriculture, significant development has been achieved under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Recently, Bangladesh has declared self-sufficiency in fish production. In the 2007-08 fiscal year, the total fish production in the country was 2.5 million tons. Now, it has risen to nearly 4.7 million tons. Approximately 85% of the fish comes from internal sources, and only 15% is obtained from marine resources. Of the internally sourced fish, around 28% comes from open water bodies, and 57% comes from enclosed water bodies.

Approximately 82% of marine fish are captured through traditional or artisanal methods, while the remaining 18% comes from trawl-centric industries. The annual capture of marine fish has decreased over the years, while the inland capture has increased. The reasons are, the growth rate of marine capture is low, and the growth rate of inland capture is higher.

The growth rate of fish capture from inland sources, particularly from impounded water bodies or ponds, has increased rapidly. Over the past 36 years (from the 1983-84 fiscal year to the 2019-20 fiscal year), the growth rates of fish capture from inland open waters, impounded waters, and marine water bodies were 2.7%, 8.57%, and 3.94%, respectively. During this period, the overall fish production has increased at a rate of 5% per annum. The rapid advancement in production capacity in capturing fish from inland impounded water bodies has been made possible through the application of improved fisheries technologies by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute. In 2020, the institute was honored with the Ekushey Padak for its significant contributions.

Meanwhile, the production of Ruhi fish has increased in different regions of Bangladesh. Besides, the production of Pangash, Koi, Shing, Magur and Tilapia fish has increased to a large extent. The per-hectare fish production in inland ponds and water bodies has reached approximately 5 tons. One of the notable achievements in fish farming is the rapid growth in the production of Hilsa (Ilish). In the 2008-09 fiscal year, the total Hilsa production was 2.99 million tons, and by the 2020-21 fiscal year, it had increased to 5.5 million tons. The production and size of hilsa has increased unexpectedly as a result of the banning of jatka extraction in rivers and the implementation of hilsa breeding protection programs.

Among the 11 countries globally that contribute to Hilsa production, Bangladesh holds the top position. Approximately 12% of the total fish produced in the country comes from Hilsa. Bangladesh accounts for more than two-thirds of the world's Hilsa production. Hilsa holds the status of the national fish of Bangladesh, and it is internationally recognized as "Bangladesh Hilsa." It has a geographical indication (GI) certificate, acknowledging its unique identity associated with the region.


Nutrients such as eggs, milk, and meat are witnessing significant growth in production. The country is currently self-sufficient in egg and meat production. However, there is still a deficit in milk production, ranging from 25 to 30 percent. Nevertheless, with the current rate of production increase, it is expected to overcome this deficit soon. As of the available information for the fiscal year 2021-22, meat production stands at 92.65 lakh tons, with an annual per capita availability of 54 kilograms. Egg production is 2335.35 crore, with an annual per capita availability of 136 units.

Milk production in Bangladesh is 130.74 lakh tons, with an annual per capita availability of 76 liters. However, compared to neighboring countries, the prices of meat, eggs, and milk are higher in Bangladesh. It is possible to reduce production costs per unit by maintaining economic efficiency in the sub-species of livestock, keeping the prices of meat, eggs, and milk at a reasonable level for consumers. To achieve this goal, the introduction of new technologies in the livestock sector should be encouraged.

Forestry is a crucial sub-sector of agriculture. In this field, the total shaded area under trees is gradually expanding. It was estimated that 14 years ago, about 7/8 of the country's forest land was covered by tree shades. Now, it has increased to 17.45 percent. Green belts in the peripheral areas and rural agricultural development play a supportive role in the country's environmental improvement. More rapid expansion of forest resources is needed to provide human nutrients from trees, conserve wildlife and biodiversity, and counter the negative impacts of climate change.

The use of machinery in agriculture has advanced significantly. In all aspects such as land cultivation, crop harvesting, and threshing, the reliance on manual labor is diminishing, and the use of machinery is increasing. After independence, 90 percent of land cultivation was done by using wooden plows.

The utilization of animal power has decreased to 5 percent, and the rest, 95 percent, is accomplished through mechanization. In the field of rice harvesting and threshing, the use of machinery has become quite popular, although its scope is still limited. Currently, the government has initiated a program to encourage farmers by providing a 50 percent subsidy on the sale of machinery. The quantity of subsidy is higher in flood-prone, coastal, and hilly areas, reaching 70 percent.

However, the number of beneficiaries enjoying these facilities is very low. It is still effectively operational in selected rural areas. Currently, there is a labor crisis in rural areas, affecting the agricultural sector. As a result, wages for laborers are rapidly increasing. Additionally, due to various levels of inefficiency, wastage, and delays in crop production, profitability in agriculture is diminishing. In such circumstances, the rapid expansion of machinery use in agriculture is necessary. To achieve this goal, recently, a project named 'Integrated Agricultural Mechanization through Efficient Management' has been initiated with an expenditure of Tk 3,198 crore.

In the future, efforts must be made to undertake larger-scale agricultural mechanization projects. Currently, the greatest emphasis is being placed on sustainable or precision agriculture development. This is because the three main components of agricultural production – soil, water, and air – are limited. If desired, these limited resources cannot be expanded limitlessly. In the future, there will be a need to produce a significantly larger quantity of food rapidly due to the continuous growth of the global population. However, the scarcity of essential land and water resources will be a significant hindrance. While the Earth's surface may not currently be facing an immediate shortage of air, the consequences of climate change pose a substantial challenge. This will act as a major obstacle to agricultural production.

Therefore, there is a consideration for building a resilient agricultural system for the future. Sustainable development refers to a process that understands and ensures the uninterrupted presence of resources for the future, preventing any destruction of nature or its components. Sustainable development will be able to meet the current needs of humans, but in terms of meeting the demands of future generations, it will not face any capability limitations. The concept of sustainable agriculture implies an environmentally friendly agricultural program that ensures the continuity of current and future natural resources, allowing humans to meet their production needs without causing any environmental degradation. This approach will help maintain an intact environment.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of human communities and biodiversity is possible. A key goal of sustainable agriculture development is to eliminate hunger by 2030 and ensure a secure food supply for everyone. Specifically, guaranteeing food and nutrition supply for impoverished individuals is another major objective of sustainable agriculture development. Additionally, doubling food production by 2030 and establishing a resilient agricultural system through the innovation and widespread adoption of agricultural production technologies, similar to adapting to adverse weather conditions, are other key targets for sustainable agriculture development.

Among other goals, ensuring accessibility to agriculture, maintaining biodiversity in crops and livestock, preserving ecological integrity, eliminating trade barriers, and increasing investment in the agricultural sector are crucial. While there has been incremental growth in production in various agricultural sectors, the rate of this growth needs to be more dynamic to achieve food security and ensure a sustainable food supply for everyone. Therefore, increasing investment in agriculture is essential. It is necessary to allocate a higher proportion of the national budget to the agriculture sector to achieve these objectives.

Due to recent economic adjustments, the budget allocation and subsidies in the agricultural sector have declined. While there has been some increase, it is not sufficient for sustainable agricultural development. The quantity of this allocation needs to be further increased significantly. Alongside this, there is a need to mobilize funds for the transformation of agricultural production into commercial agriculture. Additionally, support should be provided for the establishment of agro-based industries and their marketing. The agricultural development program should be identified as a top priority area to address these challenges.

Author: Agricultural Economist; Director, Dhaka School of Economics and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Village.