Agriculture in Bangladesh: A journey toward self-sufficiency

It has been a tale of woes and wins in farming history. When I started working on commodity distribution for one of the largest B2B Commerce companies in Bangladesh, I was stunned by the numbers. Almost 99 per cent of sugar, 100 per cent of palm oil, 90 per cent of soybean oil, and 95 per cent of wheat come from imports. Even for rice, the crop we hold dear as a staple of our culture, 5.0 per cent is imported through government-to-government agreements. This dependency isn't just about economics, it threatens our food security and exposes us to global price volatility. But agriculture in Bangladesh isn't a story of despair alone. There are pockets of hope and success, examples of resilience, and evidence that change is possible.

Rice Revolution is one such success story. The journey to near-self-sufficiency in rice stands out as a beacon of hope. Decades ago, Bangladesh was heavily dependent on rice imports. With support from the government and international organisations like the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), farmers adopted high-yielding varieties (HYVs) such as BRRI Dhan 29 and BRRI Dhan 81. Alongside improved irrigation systems and fertiliser subsidies, these measures boosted rice production to the point where the country now imports rice only occasionally, during crises or to stabilise the market.

Abdul Malek, a farmer in Jessore, has a story to tell. He recalls, "I used to get 3.0 tonnes per hectare with traditional seeds. But after switching to BRRI Dhan, my yield jumped to 5 tons. This changed my life."

India's Green Revolution: India offers another compelling example. In the 1960s, faced with severe food shortages, the country launched a drive dubbed Green Revolution, emphasising the use of HYVs, chemical fertilisers, and advanced irrigation techniques. Wheat yields in Punjab soared from 1.0 tonne per hectare to over 5.0 tonnes. Today, India is not only self-sufficient in food-grains but also an exporter.

The Amul cooperative model in Gujarat is another success story. It revolutionised the dairy industry, turning India into the largest producer of milk in the world. By organising farmers into cooperatives, providing technical training, and ensuring fair prices, Amul created a sustainable system that benefits millions of rural households.

Bangladesh can learn from these experiences to address its agricultural challenges and tap opportunities.

The challenges we face: Despite progress in certain areas, Bangladesh still struggles with systemic issues (I) Underutilised Land: While 8.75 million hectares of arable land exist, around 1.2 million hectares remain unutilised due to waterlogging, soil degradation, and lack of infrastructure (II) Import Dependency: As previously mentioned, the statistics on the sugar, palm/soyabean oil and wheat we import are astounding. Bangladesh ranks third globally in food import. In comparison we are the eighth- largest when it comes to population size. According to a report of FAO, in the year 2021, the country imported around 12.5 million tonnes of food products from the global market, which accounts for 11.2 percent of the entire country's consumption. (III) Climate vulnerabilities: Rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, and floods are increasing risks for farmers. (IV) Fragmented Land Holdings: The prevalence of small, fragmented plots makes it difficult to achieve economies of scale or adopt modern farming techniques. For instance, even if a farmer invests in a tractor, the small size of their land renders the equipment inefficient and financially impractical to use effectively.

Steps toward self-sufficiency: Replicating the Rice Success Across Other Crops: If HYVs transformed rice production, why not extend this approach to wheat, lentils, and oilseeds? India's experience shows the power of focused interventions in a single crop, and Bangladesh can follow suit.

Strengthening Irrigation and Infrastructure: Abul Hossain, a maize farmer in Bogura, says, "I can grow three crops a year, but only if I have water at the right time." Expanding canal networks and introducing micro-irrigation systems like those used in India's arid Gujarat region can solve water issues. Investment in rural roads and cold storage can reduce post-harvest losses.

Supporting Small Farmers with Cooperatives: India's Amul model shows the potential of farmer cooperatives. In Bangladesh, initiatives like Milk Vita demonstrate that similar success is possible. By organising farmers, providing access to markets, and offering technical support, we can empower smallholders to compete on a larger scale.

Investing in technology and mechanisation: Modern farming tools like tractors, threshers, and drones can improve productivity. Mobile apps that offer weather forecasts, market prices, and farming tips have already gained traction in India and could transform farming in Bangladesh, too.

Building Climate Resilience:

In the flood-prone southern regions of Bangladesh, salinity-tolerant rice varieties like BRRI Dhan 67 have shown promise. Expanding such innovations can protect farmers from climate shocks.

Overcoming Bottlenecks: Achieving self-sufficiency isn't just about producing more, it's about addressing systemic barriers as follows:

Land Reform: Policies to consolidate fragmented land holdings can improve efficiency. Credit Access: Affordable loans and crop insurance can protect farmers from financial shocks.

Extension Services: Training programmes can teach farmers modern techniques, just as India's Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) do.

A vision for a self-sufficient future: Imagine a Bangladesh where farmers like Abdul Malek no longer fear floods or market crashes, where agriculture not only feeds the nation but fuels its economy, and where success stories like Amul and the Green Revolution inspire localised, homegrown solutions.

Professor Dr Md. Ali Reza Faruk, an agricultural expert, sums it up well: "The key is not to copy-paste solutions but to adapt them to our unique context. Bangladesh has the talent and resilience to achieve self-sufficiency, but it requires coordinated efforts."

The journey will not be easy, but with the right mix of innovation, investment, and policy reform, Bangladesh can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable agricultural future.

The author is a chief of staff of a leading startup, president of the IUT Alumni Association (IUTAA), and former president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh. [email protected]