[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Potato exports jump as prices plunge in local market

Bangladesh’s potato shipments nearly doubled in just the first eight months of this fiscal year as locally grown tubers became attractive to buyers abroad after prices fell below farmers’ production costs.

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Potato exports jump as prices plunge in local market

Bangladesh's potato shipments nearly doubled in just the first eight months of this fiscal year as locally grown tubers became attractive to buyers abroad after prices fell below farmers' production costs.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh exported roughly 24,000 tonnes of potatoes until March 15 of the current fiscal year, almost double the quantity shipped across the whole of FY24.

In February alone, potato exports reached around 12,000 tonnes, matching the total exports of the year prior.

That was a month when farmers, especially those in the northwest regions of the country, were compelled to sell their produce for as low as Tk 11 per kilogramme (kg), far lower by the DAE's estimated production costs of Tk 15 per kg this season.

Experts believe this development occurred due to a production glut following cultivation on a record area of land.

The starchy vegetable was cultivated on a record 5.24 lakh hectares of land this fiscal year, up 15 percent year-on-year, propelled by prices reaching as high as Tk 80 per kg last November.

"The increase in potato exports this year is due to low prices," said Hafizur Rahman Mintu, who has exported around 9,000 tonnes of potatoes to Nepal, Malaysia and Singapore so far this year.

He has already recorded an 80 percent increase compared to his total exports in FY24.

This year, exporters have been able to purchase potatoes at Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg whereas the price ranged from Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg last year, he said.

Tawhidul Islam, another exporter, said he exported around 8,400 tonnes of potatoes this fiscal year to Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal and Bahrain, whereas it was around 1,400 tonnes in the previous fiscal year.

This year, they have been able to procure potatoes for around Tk 10 per kg whereas the price was Tk 30 per kg last year, he said.

Another exporter said the low prices this year allowed him to export 1,300 tonnes of potatoes to Sri Lanka this year, marking the first time he has shipped to the island nation.

Exporters are primarily sourcing high-demand varieties like Granola, Diamond-7 and Majestic.

However, despite high production volumes, exporters are facing challenges in sourcing enough export-quality potatoes as the supply of premium-grade potatoes is limited, said Md Afzal Hossain, acting deputy director of the DAE in Rangpur.

As such, the DAE has advised farmers to cultivate export-oriented varieties such as Granola, Santana, and Kumari.

Hossain also emphasised the need for increased cultivation of these varieties and enhanced storage solutions to prevent future price crashes.

Syed Md Rafiqul Amin, managing director of Hortex Foundation under the agriculture ministry, said rising exports would bring some relief to farmers in major potato-growing regions, who were incurring losses while harvests were running in full swing.

Already, prices have started to rise at the growers' end, though retail prices of the vegetable remained unchanged at Tk 20-Tk 30 per kg in Dhaka, according to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.

This fiscal year, total production is expected to reach 1.20 crore tonnes, according to Bangladesh Cold Storage Association, a major player in the local supply chain.

Last fiscal year, 1.06 crore tonnes of potatoes were produced, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics estimates.

Amin of Hortex Foundation said they were connecting farmers with exporters.

Exporters can purchase potatoes at lower prices this fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year due to better yields, which is why exports have increased, he said.

Bangladesh's potato exports began in 1999, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, though only a small amount was exported at that time.

In the past nine years since FY16, Bangladesh has annually exported around 50,000 tonnes of potatoes on average, as per the DAE. However, exports dropped last fiscal year.

[Kongkon Karmaker contributed this report.]​

 

[Saif]

Authorities need to heed farmers’ grievances

WHEN a bumper harvest of potatoes is a relief for consumers, who had to pay high prices for the item even three months ago, the prospect for the producers appears bleak. Producers are faced with heavy losses as they are forced to sell their produce for prices below the production cost. Potatoes...

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Authorities need to heed farmers’ grievances
21 March, 2025, 00:00

WHEN a bumper harvest of potatoes is a relief for consumers, who had to pay high prices for the item even three months ago, the prospect for the producers appears bleak. Producers are faced with heavy losses as they are forced to sell their produce for prices below the production cost. Potatoes sell for Tk 10–12 a kilogram on the local wholesale market and for Tk 15-18 a kilogram on the local retail market while it is retailed for Tk 25–30 a kilogram in Dhaka. Producers and agricultural officials say that it costs around Tk 20 to produce a kilogram of potato this year as farmers had to pay high prices for seeds and fertiliser. While an overproduction is the visible cause for the sharp decline in the price, a lack of cold storage facilities has exacerbated the situation for farmers, especially small farmers. The Department of Agricultural Extension says that potatoes were grown on a record 5.24 lakh hectares, up 15 per cent year-on-year. The agency estimates that about 120 lakh tonnes of potatoes would be produced this year; 106 lakh tonnes of potatoes were produced in 2024.

What has added to woes of the producers is the lack of cold storage facilities. While the potato acreage and production have increased significantly over the years, the number of cold storages remains the same, leaving growers struggling to store their produce. There are 220 cold storages in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions where 75 per cent of potatoes are produced. With many farmers queuing up to store their produce, the cold storage owners have increased fees for about Tk 60 a sack. Most farmers, especially small farmers, as a result, are forced to sell their produce, incurring heavy losses, which become heavier considering that many of them took out loans at high interest rates for potato production. Farmers also allege that when they are denied space in cold storages, some hoarders and storage owners stockpile potatoes in the cold storages. Reports of such a syndicate of businesspeople and cold storage owners came up in the past, too, but the authorities did little to break the syndicate and ensure small farmers’ access to storage facilities. The authorities have also failed to set up or facilitate the establishment of cold storages.

The authorities should, therefore, address the grievances of the farmers and ensure their access to storage facilities. The agricultural authorities should also set up and help to set up more cold storages and facilitate farmers to create traditional storage facilities that can store potatoes for a few months.​

 

[Saif]

Salt, sweat and survival: Where is the farmers’ labour in the price?

There is an old tale, passed down through generations, about a king and his youngest daughter.

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Salt, sweat and survival: Where is the farmers’ labour in the price?

Photos: Mokammel Shuvo

There is an old tale, passed down through generations, about a king and his youngest daughter.

When the king asked his daughters how much they loved him, the youngest replied, "Like salt". The king, offended by what he saw as a meagre comparison, banished her to the wilderness.

Only later, when he tasted food without salt, did he understand its irreplaceable value. Filled with remorse, he brought his daughter back, honouring her for speaking a truth he had failed to grasp.

This story is more than a fable; it is a parable about the human tendency to undervalue what is essential until it is gone.

The salt farmers of Bangladesh are the modern-day embodiment of that youngest daughter. For centuries, they have toiled under the sun, harvesting salt from the earth and sea, their labour as vital to survival as the mineral itself.

Yet, like the king, society has often overlooked their worth. These farmers, who produce the salt that seasons food and sustains industries, are trapped in a cycle of exploitation, climate vulnerability and economic neglect.

Their story is not just about salt; it is about the invisible hands that sustain civilisations and the systems that fail to reward them.

Meet Nurul Absar, a 65-year-old salt farmer from Chowfaldandi village in Cox's Bazar. Like countless others, he invests everything -- his time, his sweat, his meagre savings -- into the salt fields, only to find himself questioning the very value of his labour.

"Where is my cost?" asks the farmer. "Where is my cost for polythene, water and everything I invested in my salt field, let alone the price of my own labour?"

He said that his total investment, including land rent, polythene, field preparation, water and labour, stands at Tk 320,000 for one acre. "If the weather favours, I will get a maximum of 750 maunds of salt."

At the current market price of Tk 250 per maund, Absar's total return at the end of the season would be around Tk 187,500. "If this rate continues, I will suffer a loss of Tk 132,000," he added.

Reflecting on the past three years, he said, "We earned a reasonable amount when the price ranged from Tk 350 to Tk 500 per maund -- just enough to ensure three meals a day and clothing, nothing more. I never dreamed of owning a car or land. I just want to earn enough to provide my family with good food."

Although he has dedicated himself fully to salt farming, Absar sounded frustrated. "I don't understand why I can't make a decent living although I've given my heart and soul to salt farming," he wondered.

THE BIRTH OF AN INDUSTRY

The salt industry in Bangladesh produces enough to meet local demand.

Cox's Bazar district accounts for 87 percent of the country's total salt production, while the remaining 13 percent comes from Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram district. Most salt farmers inherit the profession and rely on traditional methods.

In coastal Cox's Bazar, salt is harvested through a process that uses solar heat and seawater with high salinity. The production season runs from November to May each year.

According to the Salt Industry's Development Office in Cox's Bazar, salt cultivation first began in the region in 1960, covering around 6,774 acres of land and yielding 1.20 lakh tonnes. At the time, farmers produced 17.54 tonnes per acre.

Mohammad Zafar Ahmed Bhuiyan, deputy general manager of the office, said that the then EPSIC (now BSCIC) began salt production in the coastal region using solar methods.

"Until 1986, loans were provided to salt farmers and salt was purchased to ensure fair market prices," he said.

In 2000, the introduction of the polythene method in salt production brought revolutionary success to the industry, said Bhuiyan. This innovation led to a dramatic increase in high-quality salt production and farmers widely adopted it.

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the country's salt production reached 24.37 lakh tonnes, the highest in history, against an annual demand of 25.28 lakh tonnes. During that season, salt cultivation covered 68,505 acres of land, involving 40,695 farmers.

Bhuiyan said low market prices and high land lease costs have left salt farmers frustrated. The current market price of salt is Tk 247 per maund, while production costs stand at around Tk 321.

"High quality, white, granular and mature salt is often not produced due to a lack of farmer training, while the use of diesel-powered pumps in salt fields is driving up production costs," he added.

The BSCIC official said farmers are forced to rely on local lenders, which prevents them from getting fair prices for their produce. Besides, in coastal areas, government khas land is being illegally occupied by various groups, who lease it to farmers at high rates, further increasing production costs.

SWEAT, DEBT AND DESPAIR

Crude salt produced by farmers in Cox's Bazar is sent for refining in the next stage. The industry usually relies on three types of salt mills.

"Vacuum mills account for 65 percent of the country's total salt production, while mechanical factories refine around 25 percent, and traditional mills process the remaining 10 percent of crude salt," said Shamsul Alam, president of the Traditional Salt Millers Association in Islampur, Cox's Bazar.

According to Alam, there are 15 vacuum salt factories, 42 mechanical factories and 205 traditional salt mills in the country.

"About 65 percent of the salt produced in Bangladesh is used for industrial purposes. Currently, the decline in industrial demand has pushed down salt prices at the field level," he said.

Alam also highlighted key challenges in the salt industry, including the production of immature salt, the dominance of middlemen and rising land lease costs.

Salt farmers also echoed concerns about the increasing cost of land.

"This year, the lease price for 40 decimals of land has almost doubled," said Abul Kasim of Chowfaldandi village. "Previously, we leased it for six months at Tk 30,000, but now it has jumped to Tk 50,000," he added.

Mostafa Kamal, president of the Bangladesh Salt Farmers' Welfare Parishad, said a limited group of people controls vast salt-producing areas in Cox's Bazar.

"They have cleared mangrove forests and turned the land into salt fields. These individuals lease out the land to small salt farmers and make huge profits. This syndicate is responsible for the rising land costs in salt farming," he said.

Kamal added that if farmers could lease land directly from the government at lower rates, they would benefit significantly.

QUALITY VS QUANTITY

Salt Millers Association President Alam said locally produced crude salt contains around 75 to 80 percent sodium chloride (NaCl), compared to nearly 99 percent in India.

"As a result, the refining cost in our country is higher," he said.

He also mentioned that Bangladeshi farmers often harvest salt within a week, while producing high-quality salt requires 12 to 15 days. "They prioritise quantity over quality, which ultimately affects the standard of the salt," he said.

Salt Farmers' Welfare Parishad President Kamal claimed that the NaCl content in Bangladeshi salt is around 90 percent.

He admitted that the overall quality is slightly lower, attributing it to the country's weather conditions.

Mohammed Wahidul Islam, a farmer from Kutubdia upazila in Cox's Bazar, said low-quality salt reduces their income as demand for such salt is low in the market.

"After getting early warnings about cyclones and rainfall, we are often forced to collect immature salt from the field before it has fully developed," said Islam.

WHO CONTROLS THE PRICE?

Salt farmers are forced to take loans from middlemen or intermediaries at high-interest rates, as accessing formal loans is difficult. In return, they must sell their salt to these middlemen at prices lower than the market rate.

Alam said they buy crude salt at Tk 350 per maund at the mill gate, but farmers receive only around Tk 250 per maund at the field.

"Middlemen are eating up the profit of salt farmers," he said, adding that the market price varies by at least 20 percent from the field due to their influence.

Abdul Kader, a salt farmer from Chowfaldandi village, said they sometimes have to sell salt to middlemen at lower prices because they borrow money from them in times of need.

However, Sarwar Kamal, a middleman from Kutubdia, defended their role. "We collect salt from remote fields, transport it using additional labour, and sell it to millers, making a profit of Tk 10 to Tk 20 per maund," he said.

IMPORTS AND INEQUITY

Salt farmers' associations have frequently raised concerns over imports, saying that large salt industries secure government approval by exaggerating salt production and demand data, contributing to a decline in the price of crude salt in the market.

Kamal urged the government to halt salt imports to protect local farmers.

Alam said that since the salt produced in Bangladesh has a lower NaCl content, the actual refined salt production is lower than the gross production of crude salt. As a result, industries need to import salt to meet local demand.

In the last fiscal year, the demand for salt was 25.28 lakh tonnes, while crude salt production stood at 24.37 lakh tonnes. This year, the country's demand is estimated at 26.10 lakh tonnes.

Kamal also pointed out that industries are importing edible salt under the guise of sodium sulfate, which is used in various industries.

ERRATIC SKIES, UNCERTAIN FUTURES

Nabi Hossen, a 52-year-old farmer from Chanua union of Banshkhali upazila under Chattogram, has been involved in salt farming for 22 years. However, he now faces mounting challenges due to extreme weather events, largely caused by climate change.

He said his production costs have increased significantly due to unpredictable weather patterns, including irregular rainfall and cyclones.

"Erratic rainfall puts us into uncertain conditions. Most of the time, extreme rainfall damages our salt in the field, which puts our livelihoods at risk," he said.

Between 2019 and 2023, at least 10 cyclones hit Bangladesh, causing significant damage to salt farming. These storms destroyed cultivation infrastructure and flooded salt pans, severely disrupting production.

In 2021, Cyclone Yaas washed away 52,000 tonnes of salt in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

Abdul Halim, a farmer from Moheshkhali upazila in Cox's Bazar, lost his entire salt yield during the cyclone. "I still carry the scars of the disaster that devastated me," he said, adding that he has yet to fully recover from the losses.​

 

[Saif]

Potato growers in distress for cold storage shortage

A severe shortage of cold storage facilities has left potato growers in the northern districts struggling to manage a space for their produce, with the price of the cash crop dropping to Tk 10 a kilogram on the local wholesale markets on Friday.

www.newagebd.net

Potato growers in distress for cold storage shortage
Suzon Ali . Rajshahi 21 March, 2025, 22:05

File Photo

A severe shortage of cold storage facilities has left potato growers in the northern districts struggling to manage a space for their produce, with the price of the cash crop dropping to Tk 10 a kilogram on the local wholesale markets on Friday.

Farmers feared that a spell of rain on Thursday and Friday worsened the situation as it would cause the potatoes to rot in fields if not collected and sold or stored immediately.

The Rajshahi Meteorological Office recorded 5.4 millimetres of rain in the past 24 hours ending at 2pm on Friday.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, farmers had cultivated potatoes on approximately 50,000 hectares more than the estimated area this season in the sixteen districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions as the potato prices were favourable in the past season.

Agriculture officials estimated that about 103 lakh tonnes of potatoes would be produced in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions this season compared with 106 lakh tonnes produced nationwide in 2023-24.

Although the potato acreage and production have increased significantly, the number of cold storages remains the same, leaving potato growers struggling for a space to store their crops.

According to DAE officials, there are 221 cold storages in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions in which about 22 lakh tonnes of agricultural produce can be stored.

This year the fare for preserving one kilogram of potatoes in the cold storage has increased to Tk 6.75 from Tk 4 in the past year.

Potato growers said that now they neither could sell their produce from their fields due to a lack of buyers nor could store them due to a lack of enough cold storages.

Sikander Ali, a farmer from Nandigram in Bogura, told New Age that he had harvested potatoes on three bighas of land this season and the yield was good.

‘After harvesting the potatoes, I have kept the crop at the back of my house as there is hardly any buyer to buy the harvest,’ he said, adding that the small-scale growers like him were not given priority over the large-scale growers and traders in providing storage facilities.

Sikander said that since he had no other option, he would sell the potatoes even at huge losses.

Rahidul Alam, a farmer from Tanore in Rajshahi, told New Age that after failing to manage a place for storing potatoes, he wanted to keep the potatoes unharvested in his field for several more days.

‘But I had to harvest the potatoes on Thursday hurriedly due to rain. All the crops will be rotten if not collected immediately,’ he added.

Another farmer, Masud Rana, said that he booked a space in a local cold storage in advance for storing his potatoes, but the cold storage owner had recently informed him that no storage space was left in his facilities.

Masud feared that the rain spell would cause the prices of potatoes to go down further in the coming days.

Long queues of vehicles carrying potatoes were seen in front of several cold storages at Tanore and Paba upazilas in Rajshahi on Thursday and Friday, as the farmers who booked spaces earlier rushed the storages for keeping their produce.

Monjur Rahman, a farmer from Tanore, who cultivated potatoes on 100 bighas of land, told New Age that it had become a struggle for them to store their produce in the cold storages as it took time to weigh potatoes and put those in the storages.

‘I booked spaces in a cold storage for my potatoes several months back. I am hopeful of storing all of my produce,’ he said, adding that the costs for transporting potatoes to the storage facilities from the fields doubled as the vehicles carrying the crop had to stand for hours in queues before entering the storage.

Many farmers alleged that they had to return with their loaded vehicles back home after authorities declared their storage facilities were full.

Dulal Hossain, a farmer from Raipur village in Bogura Sadar upazila, said that even after waiting for hours at the cold storage gate, he was unable to store his sacks of potatoes in the facilities.

‘The cold storage authorities have announced that they can no longer accept potatoes as they have reached full capacity,’ he added.

Abu Bakkar, president of the Rajshahi Cold Owners’ Association, told New Age that his cold storage was full one month earlier. ‘Potato growers will incur huge losses this season due to a price fall of the crop and a lack of adequate cold storages,’ he said.

Azizur Rahman, additional director of the Rajshahi divisional DAE office, told New Age that they were aware of the farmers’ plight.

‘We have already contacted the ministries concerned and urged them to set up more cold storage facilitates in the region,’ he added.​

 

[Saif]

CIB report mandatory for agricultural loans: Bangladesh Bank

From now on, the CIB (Credit Information Bureau) report will have to be verified to approve any amount of agricultural loan or extend the loan tenure. Earlier, a CIB report was not required for agricultural and rural loans up to Tk 2.5 lakh, UNB reports. On Sunday (Mar 23), the Agricultural

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CIB report mandatory for agricultural loans: Bangladesh Bank
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 23, 2025 21:42
Updated :
Mar 23, 2025 21:42

From now on, the CIB (Credit Information Bureau) report will have to be verified to approve any amount of agricultural loan or extend the loan tenure.

Earlier, a CIB report was not required for agricultural and rural loans up to Tk 2.5 lakh, UNB reports.

On Sunday (Mar 23), the Agricultural Credit Department of Bangladesh Bank issued a directive in this regard.

According to the directive, if a loan is disbursed without verifying the CIB report, the bank will not be able to know even if the customer takes multiple crop and crop loans of a maximum amount of 2.5 lakh taka from different banks.

In this situation, the risk of defaulted loans increasing is created. Currently, collecting CIB reports has been made much easier than before. Banks are able to quickly collect the CIB report of the loan applicant using the CIB server of Bangladesh Bank.

The directive states that from now on, CIB reports will have to be verified for sanctioning any new loan or renewing existing loans in all sectors covered by agricultural and rural credit (excluding MFI linkage).

Other directives of the agricultural and rural credit policy and program for the fiscal year 2024-2025 will remain unchanged. The directive states that this directive will come into effect immediately.​

 

[Saif]

How women are revolutionising our agriculture

Women are an indispensable part of our agricultural workforce.

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How women are revolutionising our agriculture

The ‘feminisation of agriculture’ is a growing phenomenon, as increasing numbers of women assume leadership roles in the sector. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

In Bangladesh's economy, agriculture plays a vital role in providing livelihoods for around 45.33 percent of the total labour force and contributing 11.38 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Women are an indispensable part of the agricultural workforce. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women's agricultural work spans not only production but also post-harvest activities, such as processing, packaging, and marketing. These activities are essential in ensuring food security and promoting economic sustainability in rural communities. They are also associated with safe food production. However, despite their significant contributions, women's roles in agriculture are often underappreciated and undervalued, with numerous challenges, such as limited access to land, financial services, training, and modern technology, primarily due to entrenched social norms and gender biases.

According to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2022 of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the participation of women aged 15 and above in agriculture is 26.2 percent, while the rate for their male counterparts is 19.2 percent.

The country's highest employment-creating sector is gradually becoming dominated by females, with their engagement in agriculture and every agricultural subsector, including poultry and livestock, fisheries, and horticulture. The transformation that has been occurring for over a decade has already had a positive impact on the overall participation of women in the labour force in farming, while men are switching to urban services. The migration of men to urban areas in search of higher-paying jobs, as traditional farming becomes less lucrative, particularly in crop production, has left women to manage agricultural activities to support their families' income.

The "feminisation of agriculture" is a growing phenomenon, as increasing numbers of women assume leadership roles in the sector. This shift can be attributed to several factors, such as livestock rearing, poultry farming, post-harvest operations, and seed preservation. Approximately 63 percent of women in rural areas are involved in preserving local seeds, which ensures biodiversity and sustainability in farming practices.

Women are predominantly responsible for managing cattle, poultry, and goats, which play a critical role in household nutrition and income. They are also essential in managing post-harvest activities, such as winnowing, sorting, primary processing, and storing crops. By managing diverse agricultural activities, women contribute to the availability of nutritious food, improving the health and well-being of their families.

Land ownership is a key determinant of agricultural production, yet women in Bangladesh face substantial challenges when it comes to owning or inheriting land.

According to the World Bank, only around 13 percent of women have sole or joint ownership of agricultural land, compared to 70 percent of men. For economic empowerment, Bangladeshi women need equal property rights. Cultural norms often prioritise male inheritance, and property laws frequently favour men, leaving women with little legal control over the land they work. This lack of control means women are unable to make independent decisions about farming practices, investments, or business opportunities. Furthermore, they are less likely to receive financial support from banks, which require land as collateral for loans.

Women in Bangladesh are also lagging in financial credit. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reports that women in rural Bangladesh are 20 percent less likely to access formal credit than men, primarily due to their lack of land ownership and social exclusion from financial institutions. This financial exclusion restricts women's ability to invest in technology or agricultural inputs, thus limiting their productivity and income potential.

Access to modern agricultural inputs and technology is also crucial for enhancing productivity. However, many women in rural Bangladesh are unable to access new technologies due to gender biases, lack of training, and limited mobility. According to a report from the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), less than 30 percent of rural women have received agricultural training, compared to over 70 percent of men. Without access to modern farming techniques, women remain stuck in subsistence farming, unable to increase yields or improve efficiency.

To unlock the full potential of women in agriculture and address these challenges, several strategies must be implemented, such as legal reforms to ensure that women have equal access to land and property rights. The government should promote joint land ownership models, where both men and women in a household have legal control over the land. Creating gender-sensitive land registration processes and ensuring that women's names appear on land titles would allow women to secure loans and make independent decisions about farming. The World Bank has suggested that empowering women through secure land tenure could significantly increase agricultural productivity, as women tend to reinvest their earnings into their families and communities.

To enable women farmers to invest in modern agricultural practices, access to credit must be improved. Financial institutions should develop gender-sensitive loan products tailored to the needs of women farmers, with lower collateral requirements and flexible repayment terms. The microcredit programme, which Bangladesh has pioneered, provides some microfinance loans to rural women. Additionally, the Bangladesh Bank should encourage gender-responsive banking practices and create schemes that prioritise women's access to financial resources.

Access to modern agricultural inputs and technology is essential for increasing productivity. Technological innovation plays a significant role in alleviating the labour-intensive nature of agriculture. Several women-friendly technologies have been introduced in Bangladesh to ease the burden of agricultural work. Fodder chopper machines simplify the chopping of grass for cattle feed, saving women valuable time and effort. This is a prime example of women-friendly technology that is making a significant impact on the lives of female farmers in rural Bangladesh. Hermetic Storage Bags provide an efficient and safe method for storing seeds, reducing the risks of pest infestations and moisture-related losses. They have proven to be especially beneficial for women who are responsible for seed preservation. BAU-STR Dryers, developed by Bangladesh Agricultural University, reduce grain loss during the drying process to 0.5 percent, compared to the 3-4 percent loss using traditional methods. The dryers are user-friendly and help maintain the quality of grain.

Paddy, wheat, and maize threshing are mechanised, which is considered women-friendly and affordable. Women's groups may organise themselves as service providers. Small-scale food processing, such as milk-based cheese, sweetmeats, and pickles, may be organised through self-help groups, and relevant micro-enterprise organisations may support them with skill development and business opportunities.

The government and NGOs should subsidise agricultural inputs, such as fertilisers, high-yielding seed varieties, and irrigation equipment for women farmers, including solar panel-based irrigation. Agricultural extension services should be restructured to be more inclusive of women, offering training programmes that cater to their specific needs. Female extension officers can help connect women farmers to resources and provide tailored advice on farming techniques, climate-smart practices, and pest management.

On a positive note, women are increasingly participating in agricultural education, with about 40 percent of women enrolled in universities and training institutes. Thirty percent of women are engaged in agricultural extension, and 12 percent in agricultural research. This may be exploited in women-friendly agricultural programmes to intensify agricultural production and farm profitability. The Department of Agricultural Extension has made it mandatory to include women in forming farmers' clubs and farm schools. The farming system research approach has mainstreamed nutrition and safe food production, and women are participating in the programmes and receiving training on safe and nutritious production.

Education and training are crucial for enhancing women's agricultural productivity. Agricultural training programmes should be designed to address the specific needs of women, offering flexible schedules and locations. In addition to farming skills, women should be trained in business management, marketing, and financial literacy to help them manage their agricultural enterprises effectively.

For sustainable growth in agriculture, women must be included in decision-making processes at all levels. Encouraging women to take leadership roles in agricultural cooperatives and community organisations will ensure their voices are heard in policy and programme development. At the national level, policymakers should work to integrate women's perspectives into agricultural planning, ensuring that policies are designed to address the specific needs of female farmers.

The feminisation of agriculture in Bangladesh and South Asia is transforming the agri-food system. Women's participation has been recognised in all relevant policies. Accordingly, several programmes are being implemented—however, such programmes should be well coordinated. A favourable public policy environment and women-friendly farm operations need to be synchronised with an adequate R&D system. The organised farming and post-production system should be supported in entrepreneurship development. Capacity building of the farming community will be a prime task to make them a more productive segment of society.

Dr Susmita Das is principal documentation officer at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.​

 

[Saif]

Making the best use of farm loans

Bangladesh has achieved impressive success in industrialisation over the years with the industry sector's contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) reaching around 40 per cent. Still Bangladesh is considered an agricultural economy as the sector remains the backbone of rural livelihoods, con

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Making the best use of farm loans
Shiabur Rahman
Published :
Apr 17, 2025 21:45
Updated :
Apr 17, 2025 21:45

Bangladesh has achieved impressive success in industrialisation over the years with the industry sector's contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) reaching around 40 per cent. Still Bangladesh is considered an agricultural economy as the sector remains the backbone of rural livelihoods, contributing roughly 12 per cent to the GDP. The sector holds the potential of multiplying the contribution, which the country fails to achieve thanks mainly to the lack of attention it needs. Much has been talked about the development of the agriculture sector and significant steps have also been taken, but the country still lags in actions that could transform the sector into a high-contributing one. Here farmers grow crops just for their survival, without knowing their real contribution to the economy, no matter if the government extends any support or not.

Farmers in Bangladesh have limited access to finance, one of the major inputs of production, from banking sources and most of those who can access it have to pay unofficial 'speed money', which adds to cost of borrowing and eats into the borrowed amount. This factor, coupled with a lack of proper supervision, natural calamities and political unrest, often leads to default in repayment. According to a report of The Financial Express, non-performing loans (NPLs) of farmers jumped nearly 42.50 per cent to Tk 61.79 billion during the July-January period of the current fiscal year. This rate is much higher than the overall NPL ratio in the banking sector, which stands at around 17 per cent.

Some examples, however, will make anyone believe that the NPL situation in agriculture credit could have been different had the lenders dealt with the funds a bit differently. Data suggest agriculture loans provided by non-profits and agri-fintechs have much lower NPL ratio, mainly because of the identification of proper loanees, necessary advice to them and close supervision. For example, iFarmer facilitated Tk1.78 billion in loans to around 17,000 farmers from banks and from their own funds and the NPL remains less than 5.0 per cent. This figure represents a small percentage of farmers, but the replication of the model by agriculture lenders might bring in a big change in the agriculture finance landscape in Bangladesh.

Proper monitoring and supervision of farm loans is critically important as in many cases, such loans, especially short-term seasonal ones, are diverted to non-productive uses such as family expenses. This misallocation reduces the capacity of the borrower to repay the loan on time, increasing the NPL burden. However, farm loans, particularly those disbursed through state-owned banks, are often not subject to the same rigorous monitoring as commercial loans or as that offered by non-profits and agri-fintechs. Many rural bank branches are understaffed or lack sufficient capacity for post-disbursement monitoring, leaving a room for misuse of funds or a casual approach to repayment. Conventional lenders should forge greater cooperation with non-profit lending organisations and agri-fintechs in financing agriculture to ensure that their funds are best utilised and make the highest possible contribution to the sector in particular and to the economy in general. Such cooperation could also contribute to curbing informal payment for loans, creating a scope for farmers to invest greater amounts of money in the field they intend to.

Digitisation of agriculture credit disbursement is also necessary to curb NPL in the sector as manual processes always leave room for corruption. The implementation of crop insurance could also help reduce NPL. Crop insurance has been piloted in a few regions, it is yet to be implemented nationwide. Farmers often bear the brunt of losses due to crop failure or livestock disease in the absence of such insurance.​

 

[Saif]

Reforms in agriculture

AGRICULTURE has long been a central pillar of economic and social life in Bangladesh, as it has been across much of the world. Through this sector, food security, public welfare and broader economic progress are nurtured. Yet, the agricultural...

www.newagebd.net

Reforms in agriculture
by Sadia Sultana Rimi 23 April, 2025, 00:00

AGRICULTURE has long been a central pillar of economic and social life in Bangladesh, as it has been across much of the world. Through this sector, food security, public welfare and broader economic progress are nurtured. Yet, the agricultural landscape continues to face critical challenges and turning points. At such junctures, the question invariably arises: is it agricultural reform we need, or reform of the farmers themselves?

As science progresses and technology evolves, modern tools and methods are increasingly integrated into agriculture.

From digital farming to precision irrigation and automated harvesting, the sector is undergoing significant transformation. However, in many areas, farmers remain disengaged from these advances. A lack of access to information about new cultivation techniques, quality seeds, efficient irrigation and fertiliser management means that many still rely on traditional methods — often at the cost of productivity. In places where digital agriculture and smart farming are being introduced, these concepts are still foreign to most farmers. This disconnect compromises their ability to compete, both locally and globally.

Moreover, market mismanagement and flawed economic policies compound these technological gaps. Once a crop is harvested, farmers frequently struggle to secure fair prices due to intermediary exploitation, oversupply and inadequate government pricing interventions. Their incomes remain uncertain, prone to seasonal fluctuation and systemic volatility. Such economic instability erodes farmers’ morale and resilience, underlining the urgent need for thoughtful reform.

Bangladesh’s vulnerability to natural disasters further complicates matters. Floods, droughts, cyclones and other climate-related disruptions interrupt farming cycles, while unpredictable weather patterns, exacerbated by climate change, have rendered traditional agricultural schedules unreliable. In the absence of robust disaster management frameworks or technical support, these factors pose existential risks to both productivity and livelihoods. Reforming the disaster response infrastructure is essential, but just as vital is equipping farmers with modern coping strategies. Many experts argue that a core issue lies in the lack of education and training opportunities for farmers. Devoid of formal instruction in new agricultural methods, financial management, or even basic market analysis, many are left to operate within the limits of outdated practices. This not only inhibits yield but stunts farmers’ self-esteem, initiative, and potential for innovation.

In this context, it is necessary to interrogate the meaning of ‘reform’. Reform in agriculture generally denotes changes in tools, techniques, infrastructure and policy. Reform of farmers, on the other hand, refers to shifts in attitudes, education, behaviour, and socio-economic outlook. While both are necessary, determining which to prioritise requires a nuanced understanding of the root problems.

The adoption of modern agricultural technologies is imperative. Mechanisation, automated irrigation, drone-based monitoring and digital processing can significantly enhance both efficiency and yield. When applied thoughtfully, such tools reduce labour intensity while increasing output. But such transformations must be underpinned by intelligent, farmer-friendly policy. Policymakers must ensure that agricultural policies do more than support productivity—they must provide insurance, financial backing and incentives for technological adoption. Furthermore, effective partnerships between universities, research institutions, and the private sector are essential to cultivate local innovation and research-based solutions.

Digital platforms offer another path forward. Online marketplaces can allow farmers to connect directly with buyers, reducing their dependence on exploitative intermediaries. Access to weather updates, market forecasts and crop advisory through mobile apps or web portals can also improve farmers’ decision-making. To achieve this, government and private IT firms must collaborate within the framework of a digitally empowered Bangladesh.

At the same time, continuous training and educational support are indispensable. Regular seminars on modern cultivation methods, financial literacy, and the use of agricultural technologies can foster both competence and confidence. Training initiatives backed by public-private partnerships will help demystify new techniques and increase openness to innovation.

Still, no technological upgrade or training module can succeed without a shift in mindset. Often, it is traditional thinking — habitual, conservative and risk-averse — that hinders progress. Many farmers are understandably cautious about abandoning familiar methods for unproven ones. Without encouraging a spirit of entrepreneurialism, experimentation and tolerance for failure, technological interventions will remain underutilised. Society and state institutions must help cultivate this cultural shift, empowering farmers to take initiative, make informed risks, and embrace new practices.

This shift must also be economic. Savings behaviour, reinvestment in tools or technologies and post-harvest value addition require a baseline of economic awareness. Farmers must see themselves not as passive labourers but as investors, innovators, and stewards of their livelihoods. Microfinance schemes, low-interest credit and training in financial management are needed to anchor this transformation.

When assessing the relative importance of reform in agriculture versus reform of farmers, it is clear that the two are not mutually exclusive but rather interdependent. Technological advancement can only take root if farmers are receptive to it. Likewise, a reformed outlook among farmers will struggle to yield results without access to enabling technologies and systems. The future lies in harmonising both.

The international market reinforces this necessity. In a globalised economy, countries that fail to modernise their agricultural systems risk being left behind. While developed nations are investing in automation, genetic innovation and climate-resilient farming, countries like Bangladesh cannot afford to remain static. Without the fusion of technical reform and human development, agricultural stagnation could constrain national progress.

Sustainability must also be at the heart of this conversation. Modernisation is not just about increasing output — it is about doing so without compromising environmental or social health. Eco-friendly practices, efficient resource management, and climate-resilient strategies must become central pillars of reform. This calls for intelligent planning and policy reform that balances technological aspiration with environmental responsibility.

Crucially, these efforts must not occur in isolation. Reform is not a task for governments alone. NGOs, private actors, educational institutions and international partners all have a role to play. From facilitating training to enabling research, from funding pilot projects to building digital infrastructure — collaboration will be key.

Progress is already visible in some areas. Government and non-government entities have begun conducting workshops, providing technical support and rolling out digital tools for farmers. Mobile apps now offer weather updates, financial planning assistance and crop advice. Direct-to-market platforms are slowly breaking the hold of intermediaries. These are promising signs, but they remain fragmented, often concentrated in urban or semi-urban areas and dependent on donor cycles.

The full potential of these initiatives is often hindered by persistent low literacy, lack of awareness and resistance to change. Even when the tools are available, many farmers are hesitant to use them due to limited confidence or familiarity. The mindset gap remains a major bottleneck.

To address this, future policy must focus on integration. Technological infrastructure should be rolled out in parallel with community outreach, education and attitudinal change. Programmes aimed at youth in rural areas can be particularly effective, helping bridge generational divides and promoting long-term shifts in perception. The involvement of local role models — farmers who have successfully adopted modern practices — can provide practical inspiration and peer validation.

In the longer term, sustainable agricultural reform must also consider climate resilience. Rising temperatures, shifting seasons and extreme weather events will only become more frequent. Integrating environmental planning into agricultural reform is essential. This includes promoting drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, water-efficient irrigation and alternative energy use.

Digital rural development can also offer a transformative path. By encouraging younger generations to engage with agriculture through technology — apps, YouTube channels, or online training — a cultural rebranding of farming becomes possible. Agriculture need not be synonymous with poverty or backwardness; it can be smart, dynamic and progressive.

Ultimately, the question — ‘reform in agriculture or reform of farmers?’ — is not a binary choice but a deeply intertwined challenge. On one side stands technological progress; on the other, human development. Without the will to change, machines will rust unused. Without the tools to implement, ambition will falter. Only when reforms in agriculture and farmers themselves are approached as a unified agenda will true transformation be possible.

To realise this, all stakeholders — government, NGOs, the private sector and communities — must collaborate in a long-term, coordinated process. Financial incentives, training infrastructure and socio-cultural engagement must operate in tandem. If such an integrated effort is pursued consistently, the result will not just be improved agricultural productivity but a more secure, confident, and respected farming class.

Agricultural reform is not a singular intervention; it is a continuum of vision, investment, and above all, trust in the potential of the farmer. If that trust can be met with opportunity, education, and support, Bangladesh’s farmers will not just feed the nation — they will help lead it forward.

Sadia Sultana Rimi is a student at Jagannath University.​