[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

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Our journey towards a smart revolution in agriculture

Over the past 52 years, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in the agricultural sector, thanks to the hard work and innovation of millions of small farmers, researchers, innovators and government support.

www.thedailystar.net

Our journey towards a smart revolution in agriculture​

Experts think that it is important to train farmers to adopt technologies and learn about advanced technology-based agricultural management to improve farm production. PHOTO: STAR

Over the past 52 years, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in the agricultural sector, thanks to the hard work and innovation of millions of small farmers, researchers, innovators and government support. The country has become self-sufficient in rice production, quadrupling its output, and has also made great strides in vegetable production, fruits, fish, meat, milk and egg. Bangladesh's agricultural sector is currently transforming due to urbanisation, economic growth, and increased demand for safe and nutritious food. There are vast opportunities in crops, horticulture, livestock, aquaculture, and more, including increased production, better processing, stress-resistant crops, and good agricultural practices.

We must leverage data-driven solutions and technologies to access local, regional, and international markets, and the potential is well recognised. We cannot afford to ignore the urgent need for knowledge cooperation to use smart agricultural technologies, which must be implemented. However, Bangladesh also faces climatic challenges, which have renewed the country's focus on revitalising and improving the capacity of agriculture. There is significant potential for agricultural diversification, but meeting the challenges will require effort and investment. We must prioritise increased productivity and commercialisation of agriculture to promote overall growth and reduce poverty. It is therefore increasingly urgent to introduce climate solutions in the sector and address ongoing challenges such as low productivity and sustainability due to climate change, post-harvest loss, low-value addition, and very few food storage systems. Climate-smart technology is another significant tool for prioritisation.

Bangladesh benefits and suffers from one of the most extensive river systems in the world, with a large delta. During the monsoon season, 55-60 percent of the land is submerged in water, and during the dry season, there is very little water. Bangladesh's coastal areas are prone to cyclones, typhoons, and sea-level rise. Water resource management is critical to support the agriculture system, as well as supporting vulnerable rural communities. Flood control, drainage, irrigation, water supply, and integrated water management are the key areas of water resource management. We must prioritise disaster risk management, conservation, and cooperation with Bangladesh's riverine neighbours (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China) as strategic priorities.

By engaging in agritourism, Bangladesh can showcase its agricultural diversity, foster community engagement, and promote sustainable practices. PHOTO: RAJIB RAIHAN

Over the past three decades, agriculture has benefited from significant investments in flood control, drainage, and irrigation projects, mainly using surface water for irrigation. However, we must acknowledge that the sustainability of these investments has been weak. The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the Eighth five-year plan (2020-2025) focus on accelerating agricultural commercialisation to provide sustainable, safe, and diversified food products. We must support the sustainable expansion and diversification of climate-resilient agricultural production systems, which are better integrated with global and local markets, to provide food and nutrition security, as well as improve rural livelihoods, especially for women and vulnerable communities. Strategy for water resources management emphasises the need to improve irrigation efficiencies and water productivity to ensure optimal water use, reduce vulnerability, and ensure the availability of water for economic purposes and hygiene, and to protect aquatic and water-dependent ecosystems. The strategy also emphasises institutional reform of the water sector agencies to achieve effective, integrated, and sustainable water management, with sustainable operation and maintenance. Finally, we must emphasise the inclusive participation of all stakeholders to achieve our goals.

The agro-food processing industry in the country relies heavily on agricultural products and is characterised by its diverse range of sizes, technologies, product qualities, processing methods, preservation techniques, and marketing and distribution systems. This sector contributes to more than 22 percent of the country's manufacturing production, employs approximately 20 percent of the labour force, and accounts for about 2 percent of the GDP (MoI, 2012). In recent years, Bangladesh's agricultural industry has been increasingly focusing on expanding its presence in exports markets.

Within the country, there are nearly 700 food processing enterprises, including small-scale homemade processing units. Among these, at least 30 enterprises specialise in processing fruits and vegetables. The food processing sector encompasses a wide range of products, including cereals, pulses and oilseeds, bakery and confectionery items, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, fruit juices, and various other food items. Bangladesh itself has a significant domestic market for processed food products. The Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA) currently has 479 members, consisting of 244 exporters and 235 manufacturers of agro-processing products.

Over the past 52 years, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in the agricultural sector, thanks to the hard work and innovation of millions of small farmers. PHOTO: Star

In the fiscal year 2021-22, Bangladesh witnessed a remarkable growth in its export of agricultural-industrial products. The value of these exports reached an impressive Tk 282.3 billion, marking a significant increase of 272 percent compared to Tk 75.8 billion in 2006-07. This export category encompassed a diverse range of live/frozen and dried products from the fisheries and agriculture sectors, as well as jute and jute goods. Notably, jute and jute goods dominated the export consignments, with a value of Tk 112.8 billion in 2021-22, reflecting a substantial growth of 278 percent from Tk 29.9 billion in 2006-07. The crop sector played a pivotal role in this export surge, contributing an array of products such as potatoes, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruits, tea, nuts, seeds, tobacco, and dry foods. The export value of agriculture products witnessed a staggering increase of 2,892 percent from Tk 3.9 billion in 2006-07 to Tk 116.2 billion in 2021-22, making a significant contribution to the sectoral income. On the other hand, the export of fish products remained relatively stable throughout these years, with a marginal increase from Tk 42.1 billion in 2006-07 to Tk 53.3 billion in 2021-22. Despite this, the overall growth in Bangladesh's agricultural-industrial exports showcases the country's potential and success in this sector.

The advancements brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) have the potential to greatly impact Bangladesh's progress in the 21st century. With the rapid development of computing power, connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies, there is significant opportunity for these innovations to revolutionise the agricultural sector, as the implementation of the "Digital Bangladesh" programme aims to transform the rural economy and generate employment opportunities for skilled individuals in rural areas.

Through the implementation of 4IR, a smart farming culture can be established to drive productivity in agriculture through competitive means. The utilisation of agricultural robotics technology in 4IR yields favourable outcomes, including the reduction of labour costs and the enhancement of advanced agricultural systems' quality. Farmers get access to the internet, web, and online platforms, enabling them to stay informed about the latest field information via their mobile phones. These devices are connected to IoT devices and cloud computing, providing farmers with real-time updates on light, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture in their fields through connected sensors.

Bangladesh has emerged as the 35th largest economy globally. In its early years as an independent nation in 1971, Bangladesh faced a substantial food deficit. However, the visionary leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recognised the crucial role of agriculture and implemented bold initiatives to propel the concept of the green revolution for agricultural progress, which is still carried out by the government of Bangladesh. The country has now emerged as one of the leading producers globally in various agricultural sectors. It has secured a position among the top 10 producers of rice, jute, jackfruit, mango, onion, tea, vegetables, potato, and farm fish. This achievement highlights the country's significant contribution to the global market in terms of these essential commodities.

A fish farmer in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh displays a large Pangas. Photo: COLLECTED

Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in per capita consumption of fish, meat, and milk, indicating a diversification in the diet of the population. This shift towards a more varied diet is a positive development for nutrition. However, it is crucial to address the challenges that Bangladesh faces in terms of its natural resources. The degradation of soil, water, and forests poses a threat to sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the shrinking arable land and the negative impacts of climate change further exacerbate these concerns. Ensuring nutrition security for marginal and rural populations is of utmost importance, especially in the face of increasing urbanisation and significant changes in food habits due to higher purchasing power.

Moreover, with the ever-increasing population, there is a growing demand for more food production that is both nutritious and safe. In light of these circumstances, Bangladesh must prioritise sustainable agricultural practices and invest in research and development to meet the growing food demands of its population. It is essential to strike a balance between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation to ensure a secure and sustainable future for the country.

There are some key focus points, which I must mention briefly:

a) Focus on enhanced productivity and higher efficiency in farming, using upgraded strategies, processes and tools.

b) Restructuring current pricing, storage and distribution aimed at reducing costs and ensuring availability at affordable prices.

c) Protection of farmers' interests as producers and suppliers.

d) Upgrade crop insurance and medical insurance as well as introduce a global format of farmers' pension scheme.

e) Current safety net and social protection should focus on access to affordable food.

f) Focus on advanced agricultural research.

g) Strategic framework for private sector investment and engagement in the agriculture sector.

h) Legal requirements to ensure the protection of agricultural land and farming resources.

i) Tax incentives and fiscal stimulus for agricultural products.

j) Decentralisation of key national agricultural institutions.

In the 1960s came the green revolution, and now is the best time for another revolution which has to be smart and efficient. Together, we can walk the way towards better sustainability. The smart revolution will bring about a complete change in the scenario that we are looking at now. It will not only strengthen the sector but will effectively change our livelihood. This will let us eradicate poverty and inequality, both of which are man-made. This can be undone by smart farming technologies. There is potential in everyone and people need to realise that. We know change only happens when vision meets with action. Whenever agriculture is faced with urgent challenges, it deserves urgent solutions. Yes, indeed, we do not know every solution; but our farmers are always on the ground, listening, learning and evolving. The same goes with the government, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders in the sector. Bangladesh is not only dreaming of a better farming sector, we are building it, brick by brick, stronger than ever and, of course, together.

 

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Mango trees start flowering, predicting huge output in Rajshahi

As the winter season ends, tens of thousands mango trees have started flowering in Rajshahi region, famous for the production of the seasonal delicious mango fruit nationwide....

www.newagebd.net

Mango trees start flowering, predicting huge output in Rajshahi​

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka | Published: 16:01, Feb 16,2024

-- BSS photo.

As the winter season ends, tens of thousands mango trees have started flowering in Rajshahi region, famous for the production of the seasonal delicious mango fruit nationwide.

Huge blooming of mango trees at this stage predicts an excellent production of the most popular fruit in the region this season, if the climatic conditions remain favourable till its harvesting period.

Principal Scientific Officer of Fruit Research Station Shafiqul Islam said the prevailing climate condition is suitable to blossom in mango trees.

He said that hundreds of thousands of mango trees have already bloomed and worn eye-catching looks with huge flowers. Flowering in mango trees began in the mid January and continues till mid-March, he added.

Every year new mango orchards, especially of Amrapali, BARI mango-3 and 4 varieties, are rapidly increasing in the districts, said agriculturists.

Naogaon was long known for paddy cultivation, but last year it became the highest mango-producing district, surpassing the mango capital of Chapainawabganj.

Dr Islam said Chapainawabganj still has the highest amount of land covered by mango orchards, but Naogaon saw a one-and-a-half-times increase in its mango farm acreage annually over the last 10 years, according to Department of Agricultural Extension data.

The area covered by mango orchards in Naogaon increased by 14,925 hectares in the period while the increase was 9,520 hectares in Chapainawabganj.

Mango farming is not only increasing, but it is changing as well. Instead of creating mango orchards for a hundred years or more, farmers are targeting only 10 years.

Golam Mourtoza, 55, a mango trader of Baneswar village under Puthiya upazila, said that the farmers are seen very busy nursing mango trees at present to protect the flower from dropping.

Usually, he added, blooming of mango in is seen to occur during the last week of January and continues till middle of March.

Motaleb Hossain, a mango grower of Charghat upazila, said he has over 200 mango trees in his orchard. He has cultivated a large variety of mangoes this season. He expects a handsome profit for the early blooming of mango trees this year.

Normally 10 mango trees are planted in one bigha of land, but in the new farming method, farmers can plant up to 200 trees in the same space, said Md Nuruzzaman, a mango grower of Porsha upazila of Naogaon.

"These trees will bear fruit for 10 years or less, and then we have to uproot them and replant."

The growth of mango orchards is the highest in the two Naogaon upazilas-- Porsha and Sapahar. They have 72 percent of the orchards of the district, says the DAE.

Meanwhile, around 65 to 70 percent mango trees have already sprouted in Chapainawabganj while 70 to 75 percent in Rajshahi as the remaining mango trees are expected to sprout by mid-March in some cases, he continued.

On behalf of the FRS, many of the grassroots mango farmers were imparted training to yield maximum output side by side with safe production after the best uses of modern technologies, Shafiqul Islam added.

Additional Director of the DAE Shamsul Wadud said the farmers have been caring and taking measures for making mango farming successful everywhere.

The farmers have been keeping contacts with the agriculture officers at the field levels to control the possible attacks by hoppers and some other pest attacks on the mango flowers.

There are around 35 lakh mango trees of different ages on some 23 thousand hectares of land in the region, said the DAE officials concerned.

The number of growing mango trees has been increasing in the region for the last couple of years. Mango, the leading seasonal cash crop of the northwestern region, vitalizes the overall economy of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts.

After witnessing the present climate condition, both the growers and the officials are very much optimistic about high yield of the seasonal fruit.

Abul Hossain, a farmer of Mazar Diar village in Paba upazila, said buds started appearing in mango trees this season before the end of winter.​

 

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Making agricultural commodities comply with WTO standards

As an emerging producer of agricultural commodities, the need for protecting Bangladesh's indigenous plants and plant products from foreign invasive insects and pests cannot be overemphasised. Similarly it is equally important to ensure that agricultural exports from Bangladesh are free from plant

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Making agricultural commodities comply with WTO standards​

FE
Published :
Feb 16, 2024 21:53
Updated :
Feb 16, 2024 21:53

As an emerging producer of agricultural commodities, the need for protecting Bangladesh's indigenous plants and plant products from foreign invasive insects and pests cannot be overemphasised. Similarly it is equally important to ensure that agricultural exports from Bangladesh are free from plant species and pests that are harmful for importing countries. The necessity for such measures has gained paramountcy with the entry of Bangladesh's agricultural products into the billion-dollar-earner club in FY 2021-2022. It may be recalled that in FY22, Bangladesh earned USD1.16 billion from exporting agricultural goods and processed foods, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). In the fiscal (FY21), too, for the first time in the country's history, foreign currency receipts from agricultural export touched the billion-dollar mark. It has, therefore, become urgent that the country's agricultural exports in the global market are maintained sustainably.


To do so, Bangladesh must meet the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreements. Notably, the Agreement on the SPS Agreement came into effect with the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995. The SPS Agreement explicitly recognises the right of governments to take measures to protect human, animal and plant health as long as these are based on science. The question of adhering to science arises here because there is also the risk of arbitrary application of this protective measures against similar plant products of foreign origin in a discriminatory manner. So, in line with the WTO's SPS Agreement, the government first enacted the Bangladesh Plant Quarantine Act 2011 followed by Bangladesh Plant Quarantine Rules 2018. But to update the regulations so enacted to meet international standards, the government is required to amend the original Plant Quarantine Act 2011 for regulation of international transport of plant and plant products. However, at the moment, there is no full-fledged authority to oversee if the Act and the Rules thereof (adopted later) are being observed in their exact text and spirit. As a makeshift arrangement, the director of the 'plant protection wing under the department of agriculture' is functioning as the national quarantine authority. The good news is that the government has already prepared a draft proposal for constitution of a dedicated body for the purpose, held discussions among relevant government bodies and with stakeholders before finalising what it termed the National Plant Quarantine Authority.

The envisaged regulatory body would, among its other functions, prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the country. Obviously, that would require the plant quarantine stations at the country's ports of entry to be extra-cautious as well as highly efficient in their job. Similarly, they have to be equally adept at meeting the phytosanitary requirements (relating to plant health) including issuance of phytosanitary certificates following the requirements of the countries importing Bangladeshi plants in line with international agreements. There is always the risk of an outbreak of plant diseases at home, the quarantine authority to be established would also have to look into that.

The emphasis on maintaining high quality of Bangladesh's agricultural export is obviously part of expanding its export basket. In this connection, the government plans to export US$3.0 billion worth of agricultural goods this year and hopes to raise it to US$10 billion in the near future. Let the proposed National Plant Quarantine Authority be foolproof enough to meet international standards and also be equal to the nation's ambition to become a regional agricultural product hub.​

 

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Agriculture remains the vanguard

Tagore believed, "Now is not the time for the farmers alone to toil, rather the scholars and scientists ought to join them." (Bhumilakshmi, Rabindra Rachanabali, 14th Part, Page 360). Fortunately for us, multidisciplinary approaches to agricultural development, as envisaged by Tagore, have been adh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Agriculture remains the vanguard​

ATIUR RAHMAN

Published :​

Feb 20, 2024 21:25

Updated :​

Feb 20, 2024 21:25

A farmer harvests rice in a paddy field in Nilphamari, Bangladesh, on May 17, 2022—Xinhua Photo

Tagore believed, "Now is not the time for the farmers alone to toil, rather the scholars and scientists ought to join them." (Bhumilakshmi, Rabindra Rachanabali, 14th Part, Page 360). Fortunately for us, multidisciplinary approaches to agricultural development, as envisaged by Tagore, have been adhered to in Bangladesh first under the leadership of the Father of the Nation and then under the leadership of his daughter. Therefore, agriculture has always been serving as a macroeconomic vanguard like a wall against any potential economic crisis. The growth in agriculture has always been poverty-reduction and augmenting level of consumption, particularly at the bottom of the social pyramid of Bangladesh.

The entire economy of Bangladesh is now enjoying the benefits of the 'quantum jump' of agricultural development that has been taking place since 2009-10. The country not only survived the fallouts of the global financial crisis of that time, but also went through a commendable phase of resilient growth. This has been possible due to inclusive macroeconomic policies (especially due to the broad-based inclusive financing campaign) undertaken by Bangladesh. The agriculture sector served as the vanguard throughout this process. Firstly, around 40 per cent of the workforce remained employed in this sector (the ratio is said to be up to 60-65 per cent if those relying indirectly on agriculture are considered). Thus, through the income of agricultural entrepreneurs and agricultural workers the benefits of broad-based economic growth reached the bottom of the social pyramid. Furthermore, as the income of agriculture-dependent households grew, their demand for products and services also increased. This in turn led to bolstering of the consumption-driven growth of the economy. Additionally, a significant share of the inputs required for the burgeoning industrial sector of the country have also been sourced from the domestic agricultural sector.

Even amid the latest pandemic-induced economic slowdown (in FY2020-21), agriculture once again came to the fore as the main source of our economic growth. Recently (over the last year or so), we are once again facing significant macroeconomic challenges. The Bangladesh economy is indeed at a crossroads. On the one hand, there is optimism about graduation to a developing country within the next couple of years and becoming a trillion-dollar economy in another 10-15 years. On the other hand, there are the challenges resulting from the geopolitical instabilities as well as from the internal structural cleavages. Given this context, there is definitely a need to be further sensitive to the issues associated with the role of agriculture in our economy. We also need to be aware of agricultural transformations since independence, and the challenges on the way of agricultural development in the new context.

There is no denying the fact that the people, especially those belonging to the lower-income strata, are under serious pressure due to inflation (especially food inflation). At the same time, we must also acknowledge that Bangladesh as an economy has the capacity to ensure its food security. Thanks to consistent agricultural mechanisation and development of modern and climate-friendly agriculture over the last 10-15 years, we can surely have big ambitions about our agricultural transformation. For example, in Barisal division around 6 per cent of agricultural land has been lost due to urbanisation and other causes between 2014 and 2019. Yet, production of rice in this region has not decreased. Rather rice production has increased by 1.5 times owing to modern cultivation techniques and extension services.

GoB's Finance Division data shows that our food crop production has increased from 34 million tons to 43 million tons over the last decade. This year too we are expecting bumper growth of Aman rice. A recent newspaper report informs that in Kumilla, a farmer is expecting to harvest Aman worth Tk 20,000 against his Tk 8,000 investment. Harvests of other crops are also expected to be satisfactory. For example, in Sherpur, because of broad-based agricultural extension services including demonstration plots, the share of land engaged in mustard cultivation has more than doubled over the last five years. And production of mustard has increased even more (4 times). The trend is expected to continue this year as well. Given this backdrop, it will not be illogical to expect food inflation to come down significantly by the end of 2024 (food inflation was almost 10 per cent by the end of 2023). Of course, there has to be an intervention from the monetary policy as well to mop up additional liquidity created by the increased flow of both informal and formal remittances.

Certainly, we cannot expect to solve all our agricultural problems by increasing production alone. News from the market shows that food prices are not coming down despite having bumper harvests. On certain occasions, the prices remain high even after allowing imports. This is because the problems are less related to the field of cultivation and more to the marketing system.

These structural problems are in fact issues of agriculture economics. And in our country, agriculture economics most often does not enjoy due attention. Consequently, stakeholders most often end up falling short in explaining the prevailing socio-economic realities. I could share a most recent example. By the end of the last year (2023), the mass media reported that while food inflation was high all over the country, the ratio was higher in rural areas than the urban ones. As food is mainly grown in rural areas, many found explaining this high rural food inflation particularly difficult. The fact that they must have overlooked was income of rural households which have increased significantly. Consequently, their demand for food has changed significantly over the last 20 years. Not all the food products a rural household consumes today are produced in that area. They also have an additional demand for processed and/or packaged agri-products. Furthermore, most of the agriculture produce from any rural area ends up being exported to urban centers. Therefore, be it crops produced in other rural areas or processed agri-products, a large share of the agricultural products consumed by families in rural areas are now imported from outside that area (from urban centers). Indeed, the rural-urban connect is very robust now.

Given this context, it is now high time to emphasise the transformation of our agri-economy and map the challenges ahead. Therefore, I believe the book titled "Bangladesher Krishi Orthonitee: Bishoy o Bisleshon (Bangladesh's Agriculture Economics: Content and Analyses)" to be of special relevance in the current context. The book published by UPL has been edited by the first Emeritus Professor of the Agriculture University Dr. Abdus Sattar Mandal. Nineteen other Agriculture Economics Professors contributed chapters in the book. Such a book in Bangla is indeed rare. Based on the areas of agriculture economics focused in the book, the 21 articles have been segregated into four sections. The articles in the first section narrate the introduction, content, and evolution of agriculture economics as a discourse.

The second section of the book has articles that deal with the applied/practical sides of agriculture economics in the context of Bangladesh. The writers have covered both micro- and macro-managed issues here. Therefore, along with unit level management of agricultural farms they have covered large agricultural development projects and fiscal policy measures for agricultural development.

Commercial agriculture, technology, and statistical issues related to agriculture economics are dealt in the articles incorporated in the third section of the book. These articles have focused separately on different issues/challenges associated with modern agricultural practices especially in Bangladesh. I have found the article on small-scale milk farms and the one on the use of renewable energy in agriculture to be highly interesting. This is because our macroeconomic success relies on SMEs to a significant extent, and shifting from fossil fuel-based cultivation to renewable energy is pivotal for sustainability in the long run.

Finally, the fourth section of the book has articles that analyse the structural challenges of our agricultural sector. The recommendations and policy suggestions laid out here should be of special interest to the government and non-government policymakers. The two articles from this chapter that I believe worth mentioning are the one about price supports for farmers and the other about agricultural insurance. We have been strongly advocating for these policy measures for a long time. And the international development partners are also interested in these policy issues.

I heartily express my gratitude to the contributors of this book firstly as they have opted to write this in Bangla and secondly (and perhaps more importantly) because they have used very lucid and communicative language to share their ideas. The ideas here have been laid out simply. Hence, this book will not only be useful to learners and researchers, but also provide food for thought for stakeholders from other walks of life ranging from administrators to policymakers. Along with ensuring future food security of the country, agriculture will continue to play its role as the vanguard of the macroeconomy. Indeed, more such books in Bangla should be written by academic and policymakers to strengthen the discourse on inclusive growth spearheaded by agricultural sector.​

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https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/our-agricultural-heritage

Our agricultural heritage​

MUHAMMAD ZAMIR

Published :​

Feb 18, 2024 22:00

Updated :​

Feb 19, 2024 21:22

​

A farmer shows bundles of newly harvested rice in a paddy field in Nilphamari, Bangladesh, on May 17, 2022 —Xinhua Photo

A careful historical survey (carried out under the leadership of Bangla Academy, Dhaka around 2002) pertaining to the agriculture process in Bengal over nearly the last three thousand years revealed that initially, a larger number of people in Bengal, like the rest of South and Southeast Asia were nomads. However, things appear to have started to change from about the 7the century BC when the population realised that it was easier for their livestock as well as for themselves if they had settled habitation. In this context agriculture and looking after domestic animals were preferred as it not only provided security but also steady food supply. It also spared the population the problem of searching for food in the surrounding forests which were filled with wild animals. This led to the human population in ancient Bengal pursuing not only agriculture but animal husbandry.

I was also involved with this exercise as I was at that time writing a book entitled "Anthology of Bengali Proverbs and Bachans" which was subsequently published by Bangla Academy. It related to the evolving culture and the impact created on this aspect through proverbs that had been generated in Bengal from different sources.

That included Khana, who is still remembered in the rural areas of Bangladesh and also parts of West Bengal for her adages that related to agriculture. My attention to her had been drawn by my parents when I was in school. However, her tremendous importance within the context of the Bengal cultural and agricultural dimension was revealed later by Bangabandhu after his return to Bangladesh, a war-ravaged country on January10, 1972, when he reiterated her contribution in the field of agriculture during his efforts to reconstruct Bangladesh.

It was this denotation that induced me to try and understand our agricultural heritage.

Research led to the discovery that from agriculture, in ancient Bengal, the inhabitants learned not only to live together as a group but also to develop technology for maximising the fruits of agriculture. With each step gradually emerged new tools more suitable for better agriculture. With this came the concept of ownership of land and professional farmers, then came the division of society into various classes depending on the practical superiority of different professional groups- and with that came also class differences and feuds.

It is also evident that there was an influence of agriculture on the Vedas. In the Rigveda, there are references to agriculture in different supplications to Indra whose help is sought in the looking after of domestic animals and in the prevention of these animals falling prey to tigers. Similar references to agriculture are also found in the Atharvaveda and also in the Chaturveda.
Agricultural implements were regarded with great respect, In poetry, special accolades and titles were given to the keepers of various agricultural accessories. The plough was associated with Krishna's elder brother Balaram. Similarly, Vishwanitra and Parashar were also farmers. It may be recalled here that Parashar is credited with the first systematic and detailed collection of ancient Indian philosophical sayings on ancient formats of agriculture and collection and preservation of different kinds of seeds -(Lahari,Durgadas: "Prithivir Itihash", Volume 5). It would be interesting to note here that while putting together his collection, Parashar indicated that at no time should seeds be stored near any kind of oil, salt or any flame. He has also noted that a careful farmer 'can grow gold and an ignorant farmer will become poor'. He has also discussed the importance of adding animal waste and other things as fertilizer in the soil to improve its fertility.

The above observations indicate that the principles of agriculture in India were ancient and present even before the arrival of the Aryans. When they arrived, they sometimes according to anthropological records modified the system and also at times improved the technical aspects.

It is difficult to find precise historical records to determine exactly when people of Bengal started their agricultural profession.

However, it is clear that it was already flourishing about 700 BC. In this context it would be useful to mention that different excavations were carried out in 24 Parganas. Mednipore, Murshidabad and in Birbhum--in present day West Bengal--indicate clear evidence of a continuing civilisation rich with agricultural knowledge (The Eastern Anthropologist, Vol. 31, No.4, 1978, pp. 543-555).

One thing, however, appears to be clear. The tendency for Bengal to have a large population is probably due to its favourable conditions which facilitated agriculture. It may be pointed out that this fertile region also encouraged different tribes and ethnic stock to migrate to Bengal from surrounding regions. Along with such migration came various influences on the principles of agriculture and proverbs related to agriculture.

Different names for agricultural products and spices also entered the Bengali language- from the Santhal dialect. Similarly, words like 'Golmarich', 'Komola' and 'Karpash' also found their way into Bengal.

Some areas were also associated with some of the agricultural products predominant in these regions. North Bengal's ancient name was 'Poundo' which means sugarcane (which grows in abundance in that area) and 'Gour' came to be known as such because of the large production of 'Gour' (molasses) in that area.

Excavations carried out in Chandraketugarh in 24 Parganas, in West Bengal have provided terracotta samples of a flourishing agricultural pattern which included the presence of coconut, betel nut and 'tal' trees. Their presence is also found in different coins discovered in that region, minted during the Maurya and Kushan periods. Similarly, there are references to the cultivation of mustard and various kinds of lentil and the need for irrigation.

Importance of agriculture and paddy cultivation in Bengal is also clear in the special emphasis given in 'Durga Puja' amongst the Hindu community. Durga, according to Hindu mythology, was the wife of the Hindu god Shiva who was considered for agriculture. Durga also came to be known as 'Annadatatri' or the provider of food.

In fact, historians have mentioned that in the ancient times religion in Bengal was mostly associated with agriculture. Some historians have gone on to also say that in ancient Bengal there was love for deities because the feeling was that they needed to be pacified to obtain better crops and consequently more food. This attitude is still present among the tribal populations living in the South Eastern parts of Bengal.

Sometimes, even today we come across rituals where before starting the ploughing of the land, offerings like paddy, durva grass and turmeric are made to deities (Gilbert Slatter, "The Dravidian Element in Indian Culture '' New Delhi, 1978). It would also be interesting to note that in certain parts of South Eastern Bengal Laxmi and Shiva were associated with efforts to boost the agricultural economy. Similarly, in the 'Jhum' format of cultivation in the Hill Tracts region, the tribal population often made supplications to deities before undertaking planting of crops. They did not use bullocks and ploughs but mostly sharp sticks to dig holes in the ground. Their form of cultivation was rudimentary and consequently there was presence of simple crops.

Bengali culture from the earliest times has been greatly influenced by agriculture-- the most important profession of the Bengali speaking population most of whom lived in the rural areas. Consequently, the psyche of the rural folk and their basic philosophy of life revolved around nature, seasons and the impact of agriculture on their socio-economic lives. In Bengal, in ancient times, agriculture, it needs to be understood, related to simple crops like paddy, cotton, coconut, betel nut and banana.

In addition, researchers have also found references to farming of jute which has been used for a long time not only for making ropes but also for woven garments. Its sticks were also used as firewood.

Before concluding, one needs to definitely observe that the sayings of Khana were formulated nearly eight hundred years ago at the time when agriculture and dairy farming were both considered important professions. It was also apparent that during that period, both rice and banana were important items of daily life. In this context it also needs to be mentioned that while Khana referred many times in her adages to cultivating gourds of different kinds-- aubergine, pumpkin, green chillies, parsnip, radish and bitter gourd-- there is no reference to tomatoes. On the other hand, Khana specially singled out two most common items as desirable-- mango and jackfruit.

In her Bachans, Khana repeatedly refers to particular types of livestock and poultry, cows, bullocks, goats, ducks and pigeons. They figure prominently in matters pertaining to economic livelihood. Interestingly, there are only a few references to buffalo, elephants, horses and dogs. Professor Ali Nowaz suggested that in all probability there was no reference to chicken by Khana because chicken had still not been domesticated. There is, however, some disagreement on this matter among some other agricultural historians.
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[Saif]

Up to 30% of crops wasted, says agriculture minister

Around 30 percent of crops are wasted at different stages after harvest and reducing it would contribute to improving food security, said Agriculture Minister Md Abdus Shahid yesterday

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Up to 30% of crops wasted, says agriculture minister​

Banks usually disburse a major portion of their annual farm loans during September-December when farmers spend busy time harvesting boro paddy and winter vegetables. Photo: Star/File

Around 30 percent of crops are wasted at different stages after harvest and reducing it would contribute to improving food security, said Agriculture Minister Md Abdus Shahid yesterday.

Cutting waste of crops is very important, he said at a session on "food and water storage and prevention of food waste" at the Food and Agricultural Organization's (FAO) 37th session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, according to a statement.

He said Bangladesh's government was providing up to 70 percent subsidy to farmers for farm machinery.

He added that the government had taken initiatives to build multipurpose storage facilities, combined storage facilities accommodating multiple crops, and provide refrigerated vehicles for transport of fresh vegetables.

In order to prevent food wastage and damage, huge investment is needed in harvesting, threshing, transportation, and storage, he said, stressing the need for public-private partnerships. He said the FAO could help Bangladesh in this regard.​