Monocropping is not desirable
Abrar Ahmed | Saturday, 7 March 2009
MONOCROPPING or production of the same crop on a plot of land round the year causes loss of soil fertility. However, such fertility loss can be avoided by rotating crops or planting different crops at different seasons. Besides, monocropping leads to under production. As some of the crops are grown less than before or not grown at all, the country has to import item. Once an exporter of spices, Bangladesh has turned into an importer as it grows less of spices. Similarly, it has to import cooking oil or oilseeds although, Bangladesh was, decades ago, self-sufficient in cooking oil.
By growing more cotton and rubber, it can substantially reduce import dependence. Experiments show that Bangladesh can grow the finest cotton. The soil of this country is suited for cotton cultivation, as it was when the British colonialists banned its production and forced the farmers to go for indigo cultivation, that did not give them sustenance. The value-addition of the readymade garments (RMG), the main export item, is only about 35 per cent. But it can go up to 70 per cent or more, if only cotton is produced for making yarns and fabrics for RMG.
Similarly, extension of rubber cultivation to the same end is also possible. Increased oilseeds and spices output can also substantially save foreign currency spent on their imports. Increased production of such cash crops can improve the balance of payments situation and add more value to the country's exports.
By growing more cotton and rubber, it can substantially reduce import dependence. Experiments show that Bangladesh can grow the finest cotton. The soil of this country is suited for cotton cultivation, as it was when the British colonialists banned its production and forced the farmers to go for indigo cultivation, that did not give them sustenance. The value-addition of the readymade garments (RMG), the main export item, is only about 35 per cent. But it can go up to 70 per cent or more, if only cotton is produced for making yarns and fabrics for RMG.
Similarly, extension of rubber cultivation to the same end is also possible. Increased oilseeds and spices output can also substantially save foreign currency spent on their imports. Increased production of such cash crops can improve the balance of payments situation and add more value to the country's exports.