[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

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.​

 

[Saif]

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

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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

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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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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

www.thedailystar.net

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.​

 

[Saif]

Scientists eye climate-resilient crop varieties

A group of scientists of Bangladesh Agricultural University are working to develop new varieties of climate-resilient crops, including rice, maize and tomatoes, using a modern greenhouse, first of its kind at BAU.

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh Agricultural University​

Scientists eye climate-resilient crop varieties​

A group of scientists of Bangladesh Agricultural University are working to develop new varieties of climate-resilient crops, including rice, maize and tomatoes, using a modern greenhouse, first of its kind at BAU.

The scientists, led by Prof ABM Arif Hasan Khan of the Department of Agrometeorology, are collaborating with the Department of Agricultural Extension in a joint venture titled "Agrometeorological Information Systems Development Project" since last year.​

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A greenhouse is a transparent room, where various natural factors like heat, temperature, light, water, salinity and humidity are controlled and the effects of these factors on different crops are analysed and explained.

As a result, the production of any crop can be continued throughout the year in a greenhouse. The greenhouse at BAU has eight common rooms, low and temperature rooms for research, a central room from where the amount of water and fertilisers for different crops planted in different rooms can be regulated, controlled and monitored.

NRI Crop Technology -- a sensor-based equipment imported from Turkey -- delivers nutrients to each plant as needed. The research on crops' tolerance to adverse environmental conditions is being done by altering the characteristics of light including intensity and wavelength, temperature, water and salt tolerance of the seedlings planted externally through the device, the researchers said.

Prof Arif Khan said, "Agricultural productivity is largely dependent on several meteorological variables including temperature, solar radiation, hours of exposure to sunlight, lengths of winter and monsoon seasons. Since Bangladesh is a climate-vulnerable country, these climatic variables are gradually becoming extreme here. The highest and lowest temperatures are changing every year. In this situation, developing climate-resilient crop varieties has become important and scientists must engage to this end."

Prof Dr AKM Zakir Hossain, a member of the research team, said, "The new greenhouse will help develop different crop varieties that are tolerant to adverse weather conditions."

Prof Dr Aslam Ali, another team member, said, "Different crops have different requirements of nutrients for growth and development. The sensor-based operations deliver a balanced amount of nutrients to each plant. Right now, research is being conducted to develop eco-friendly varieties by changing the light, wavelength, temperature, water content, salinity level, etc externally through the machine."

Tanjim Ahmed, a postgraduate student engaged in the project, said, "Developing a heat-stress tolerant maize variety has been a successful outcome of the research. This variety can be cultivated in the comparatively warmer regions of the country."

Zaber Sabuj, another postgraduate student, said, "Work is ongoing to develop rice varieties that are tolerant to both salinity and high temperature. Once developed, these will help continue rice cultivation even in salinity prone 19 districts in the south."

Another researcher, Sirajum Monira, said it may become possible to produce winter tomato varieties even in summer through greenhouse method.

Postgraduate student Farzana Akter is focusing on finding out which rice varieties expel less methane in higher temperature regions.

The scientists said this modern greenhouse has opened the door for advanced agricultural research, and hoped that within five years, the outcomes of this research could reach the farmers' door.​

 

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Glasshouse Indoor Commercial Farming is getting quite common in Bangladesh, but this was the first one.

 

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Growing Avocados in Bangladesh

 

[Saif]

Little takeaways from tiresome WTO MC13

Graduating LDCs get little to laugh about, nor even guaranteed continuity of market-access privileges, as prolonged parleys at the WTO ministerial ended with late-night declaration encoding developed-developing divide over trade rules. Extended until midnight Friday, the 13th Ministerial Conferenc

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Little takeaways from tiresome WTO MC13​

ASJADUL KIBRIA, FROM ABU DHABI

Published :​

Mar 03, 2024 00:27

Updated :​

Mar 03, 2024 00:27

Graduating LDCs get little to laugh about, nor even guaranteed continuity of market-access privileges, as prolonged parleys at the WTO ministerial ended with late-night declaration encoding developed-developing divide over trade rules.

Extended until midnight Friday, the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced its conclusion formally early hours of Saturday in Abu Dhabi when the whole Arab city was fast asleep.

With a limited number of ministers and delegates, the brightly lighted Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) looked almost deserted while few journalists and civil-society members were seen struggling for decoding the stipulated outcome of the ministerial declaration and decisions adopted by the members.

As there was no consensus among the developed and leading developing countries on two critical issues, agriculture and fisheries subsidies, no deal was reached thereof either.

India and some other developing nations strongly pushed for permanent solutions on public stockholding (PSH) of foods, but to no avail in the end. The United States (US) and the European Union (EU) duo wouldn't budge an inch allowing any compromise on the issue, terming it a trade-distorting measure. Thus, the matter remained unresolved, meaning India should continue to enjoy the so-called 'peace clause' agreed in the Bali ministerial a decade ago.

Indian commerce minister Piyusah Goyal, who actively participated in the negations and fought until the last minute for reaching a permanent solution, talked to journalists informally before the formal closing of the meet. He was of the view that, for India, peace clause is also enough to ensure food security.

The second phase of the fisheries subsidies agreement that provides for a ban on subsidies on overcapacity and overfishing was also not approved due to strong difference among the countries. The first phase of the agreement, adopted at the MC12 in Geneva, prohibits government support for illegal, unreported and unregulated, fishing, the fishing of overfished stocks and fishing on unregulated high seas.

The e-commerce moratorium will, however, continue for two more years despite opposition from India and some other countries. It means there will be no customs duties on electronic transmission during the period. Developed countries heavily backed the moratorium.

On dispute-settlement reform, members agreed to work for 'having a fully and well-functioning dispute- settlement system accessible to all members by 2024.'

The graduating LDCs, including Bangladesh, get three years as an extra time after their graduation to adjust with the WTO rules and provisions regarding the dispute-settlement system. They will also enjoy LDC-specific technical assistance and capacity building provided by the WTO for three years after the graduation.

There is, however, no binding commitment on the continuation of the preferential market access for the graduating LDCs.

"We reaffirm the provisions of special and differential treatment for developing Members and LDCs as an integral part of the WTO and its agreements," says the MC13 declaration.

Special and differential treatment in WTO agreements should be precise, effective and operational, adds the readout.

The WTO Director-General, Okonjo-Iweala, in her concluding remarks, said: "We have worked hard this week. We have achieved some important things and we have not managed to complete others.

Nevertheless, we moved those pieces of work in an important way. At the same time, we have delivered some milestone achievements for the WTO and laid the groundwork for more," she added.

At the concluding session, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE and MC13 Chair, thanked members for their active engagement during the conference.

"There is virtually no agreement on almost anything," said Auckland University Emeritus Professor Jane Kelsey who attended the conference as a guest of the conference chair.

"This follows a pattern of failures over successive ministerial," she told the media in a brief, but highly critical, statement.

"The WTO continues its steady decline, no longer just on life support but nearing death's door," says the swinging readout, incidentally at a time when there have been pleas for rebuilding a world trade system felicitous with current milieus.

The MC13 of the WTO started on Monday with trade ministers and senior officials of 164 members joining. As they had failed to reach consensus on critical issues during these days, the conference extended to Friday.

An eight-member Bangladesh delegation headed by Ahasanul Islam Titu, State Minister for Commerce, participated in the global trade meet. The conference brought together around 4,000 ministers, senior trade officials and other delegates from the WTO's 164 members and observers as well as representatives from civil society, business and the global media.

[The writer was in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Geneva.]​