Vegetables in the export basket
Khademul Islam | Saturday, 14 March 2009
Bangladeshi agricultural products have good demand in the UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East. But the export to these destinations, so far, is far below the potential. One of the main reasons of this is inadequate investment in agriculture.
Of late, the government appears to have become conscious of the comparative advantage of Bangladesh in exporting farm products. Agro-exports are now a thrust sector. The policy is giving positive results. A great deal more, however, remains to be done for the sector to take-off.
Experts think that Bangladesh should go for crop diversification to grow high value crops to increase its earnings from agriculture. For example, there is scope in the country to grow, for exports, mushroom, broccoli, baby corn, French beans, gherkin, capsicum, orchids and other ornamental plants, all of which have higher export value. All of these can be grown by the common farmers. With coordinated policies, the government can help boost the agri sector.
Bangladesh also can double or treble its production of traditional vegetables to meet domestic demand and export the surplus. Currently, its exports account for 2.0 to 3.0 per cent of the international vegetable market. Bangladesh's share in the global market can go up, given proper policy support. The average annual earning from traditional vegetable exports from Bangladesh of about Taka 3.0 billion is a pittance compared to the potential.
Vegetables for export can soon be a highly rewarding activity. But supportive policies and the needed infrastructure should be in place. Many educated unemployed persons are taking up vegetable farming as a self-employment opportunity. This is, no doubt, increasing production. Good prices and export markets will encourage more of these ventures for greater production.
Vegetable exporters identify lack of air freighting as a big constraint. Limited capacity and high charges of Biman impede the exporters. Biman needs to increase its carrying capacity and lower its charges to boost vegetable export. Side by side, the availability of more cold storages throughout the country and tax rebates or exemption would encourage vegetable export. Institutional credit would encourage the use of air conditioned vans for transportation. Improvement of road networks to, and from, vegetable growing areas would give a boost to the sector. The exporters need to have trained people in cutting, processing, packaging, grading and testing to conform to international standards. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) can take an initiative in this matter.
Organic vegetable farming needs to be encouraged with no loss of time. The European Union (EU) has recently warned that it would not allow the import of vegetables, grown using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The ban would be effective in two years.
Vegetable growers also need to learn how to grow vegetables in greenhouses for safe and higher yield round the year.
Of late, the government appears to have become conscious of the comparative advantage of Bangladesh in exporting farm products. Agro-exports are now a thrust sector. The policy is giving positive results. A great deal more, however, remains to be done for the sector to take-off.
Experts think that Bangladesh should go for crop diversification to grow high value crops to increase its earnings from agriculture. For example, there is scope in the country to grow, for exports, mushroom, broccoli, baby corn, French beans, gherkin, capsicum, orchids and other ornamental plants, all of which have higher export value. All of these can be grown by the common farmers. With coordinated policies, the government can help boost the agri sector.
Bangladesh also can double or treble its production of traditional vegetables to meet domestic demand and export the surplus. Currently, its exports account for 2.0 to 3.0 per cent of the international vegetable market. Bangladesh's share in the global market can go up, given proper policy support. The average annual earning from traditional vegetable exports from Bangladesh of about Taka 3.0 billion is a pittance compared to the potential.
Vegetables for export can soon be a highly rewarding activity. But supportive policies and the needed infrastructure should be in place. Many educated unemployed persons are taking up vegetable farming as a self-employment opportunity. This is, no doubt, increasing production. Good prices and export markets will encourage more of these ventures for greater production.
Vegetable exporters identify lack of air freighting as a big constraint. Limited capacity and high charges of Biman impede the exporters. Biman needs to increase its carrying capacity and lower its charges to boost vegetable export. Side by side, the availability of more cold storages throughout the country and tax rebates or exemption would encourage vegetable export. Institutional credit would encourage the use of air conditioned vans for transportation. Improvement of road networks to, and from, vegetable growing areas would give a boost to the sector. The exporters need to have trained people in cutting, processing, packaging, grading and testing to conform to international standards. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) can take an initiative in this matter.
Organic vegetable farming needs to be encouraged with no loss of time. The European Union (EU) has recently warned that it would not allow the import of vegetables, grown using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The ban would be effective in two years.
Vegetable growers also need to learn how to grow vegetables in greenhouses for safe and higher yield round the year.