[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Agriculture enters a new evolutionary stage with AI
IFTEKHARUL ISLAM
Published :
May 30, 2024 16:03
Updated :
May 30, 2024 16:03

Representational image

The Indian subcontinent has a rich heritage of more than a millennium as an agrarian society, where nature and daily human lives are closely linked. Today, people face problems like climate change and an imbalanced nature.

Technological development offers a beacon of hope as the challenges of climate change and an imbalanced nature loom. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how people farm and care for the environment, ushering in a new era of sustainable farming practices. This transformative potential of AI in agriculture is a cause for optimism, promising to address the pressing issues we face today.

AI has recently revolutionized industries, from digital content creation to media editing, increasing creativity and efficiency. Now, its revolutionary impact extends to agriculture, reviving the fight for environmental conservation and agricultural growth.

Markets and Markets predicts that the AI technology sector in agriculture will grow to be worth $11 billion by 2025. This surge is driven by AI's potential to transform farming techniques.

According to the World Economic Forum, AI can reduce irrigation water usage by half and pesticide use by 60%, providing a lifeline to farmers facing resource constraints and pollution.

In India, groundbreaking projects by Google's Partner Innovation and AnthroKrishi teams prove AI's transforming potential in agriculture. Using Google's AI capabilities, these teams have launched initiatives to provide farmers with relevant insights gathered from agricultural data.

At the heart of their efforts is a foundational model called 'landscape understanding,' which uses machine learning algorithms to calculate land boundaries and assess soil conditions.

Equipped with this information, AI systems create customized farming plans, improving irrigation tactics and reducing resource waste.

AI-powered solutions are not just a buzzword but a practical reality in agriculture.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Insects for agricultural development: A blessing or a curse?
IFTEKHARUL ISLAM
Published :
May 30, 2024 16:22
Updated :
May 30, 2024 16:22

Representational image

In this current age, the agricultural sector is experiencing a revolution with technology, bioengineering, and even artificial intelligence. Implementing genetic engineering in agriculture has always raised profound questions about the alliance between humanity and the insect kingdom.

Like Ant-Man from Marvel comics, who commands his legion of tiny insects against his opponents, can genetic engineering harness such power over insects to become allies in agricultural development, or will it have a terrible effect in the future?

DARPA, the enigmatic research wing of the United States military, is famous for its daring pursuit of cutting-edge technology. DARPA made an ambitious choice by allocating an astounding $27 million to the Insect Allies project, which aims to kickstart a new era of genetic engineering at the crossroads of insects and agriculture.

This unique attempt seeks to use insects' natural abilities to change vital crops such as maize and tomatoes genetically, paving the path for robust agricultural systems in the face of rising environmental challenges.

At the heart of the research is a new technique for genetic engineering, genetically engineered viral vectors that use insects to transfer specific genes into crops. Unlike traditional testing methods, this unique approach can spread genetic modifications across vast farmlands.

Imagine a world where crops are fortified against the effects of climate change, with insects acting as unintentional agents of agricultural transformation.

Amidst these technological marvels, there are valid concerns and fears. The dual nature of powerful technologies, capable of serving good and evil purposes, comes into play.

While DARPA asserts that the Insect Allies project is solely focused on bolstering national security through agricultural resilience, many critics are alarmed about the potential for unforeseen consequences. Could this seemingly innocuous project morph into a covert bioweapon, posing a threat to global ecosystems and food security?

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Cut in agri subsidy will hurt farmers

Economists say allocation for the agriculture sector in the new budget is inadequate, and it will not only hurt farmers but may also affect food production.

www.thedailystar.net

Cut in agri subsidy will hurt farmers
Say experts; allocation reduced by Tk 272cr in proposed budget compared to the current one

Economists say allocation for the agriculture sector in the new budget is inadequate, and it will not only hurt farmers but may also affect food production.

In the 2024-2025 budget placed at parliament by Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday, the allocation for farming and food security is Tk 38,259 crore, which accounts for 4.80 percent of the total.

In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the allocation for farming was 4.97 percent, in the following year, it was 4.71 percent.

In the new budget, the Ministry of Agriculture gets Tk 27,214 crore, up from Tk 25,118 crore in the current fiscal year.

But the subsidy for the agriculture sector in the proposed budget is Tk 17,261 crore, down from Tk 17,533 crore.

Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam said, "Rice production in Bangladesh has grown by just 0.52 percent annually over the last three years, while the population has increased by 1.3 percent.

"When there is not enough investment in the sector, food prices rise. In order to boost grain production, more subsidies for farmers are crucial."

Moreover, fertiliser and oil prices have fallen in the global market, but not in Bangladesh.

"When the Russia-Ukraine war began, fertiliser and oil prices surged. Although the prices fell significantly last year, people in Bangladesh did not benefit from it," he added.

In his speech, Finance Minister Ali said, "Existing incentives to the agriculture sector will be continued since food security is of the highest importance here. We have given the highest priority to the agriculture sector in our budget."

However, many farmers were disappointed by the new budget.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh sees record food grains production

According to the FAO report, of the 64.3 million tonnes of cereal outputs, paddy was 58.6 million tonnes

en.prothomalo.com

Food and agriculture
Bangladesh sees record food grains production
Iftekhar MahmudDhaka
Published: 12 Jun 2024, 17: 36

Nazma Begum, keeping her toddler son Zarif on a side, along with another woman lays paddy to dry on a terrace. She will earn Tk 300 as her daily wage from this labour. Photo taken from Madla area in Shajahanpur upazila of Bogura on 3 March 2024.Soyel Rana

Bangladesh witnessed production of a record 64.3 million tonnes of food grains, including rice, maize and wheat, in 2023. The food production is estimated to rise further between last April and this June despite various natural calamities.

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) revealed this data in a report released from its headquarters in Rome, Italy on 5 June.

The report also highlighted a crisis in food in the country and a drop in the import of required amounts of food. Overall, the number of people experiencing food insecurity rose by 900,000.

According to the FAO report, of the 64.3 million tonnes of food grain production, rice was 58.6 million tonnes, maize 4.7 million tonnes and wheat was 101 million tonnes. Food grain production increased to 63.13 million tonnes in the 2022-23 marketing year from 60.92 million tonnes in 2018.

The report said, "Localised crop losses were caused by pockets of dryness and heatwaves in April in parts of the country, while hail, strong winds and localised flash floods, brought by the passage of Cyclone Remal, affected crops, particularly in Khulna Division.

"Harvesting of the 2024 boro paddy crop, which is mostly irrigated and accounts for about 55 per cent of the annual output, finalised at the end of May and production prospects are favourable," it read.

Planting of the 2024 aman paddy crop, accounting for about 35 per cent of the annual output, started in late May. Planting of the 2024 aus paddy crop, accounting for about 10 per cent of the annual output is ongoing, supported by favourable soil moisture conditions and harvesting will start in late June 2024.

Harvesting of the 2024 winter maize crop, accounting for about 85 per cent of the annual output, finalised in April and production is estimated at a record level, mostly reflecting large sowings driven by high prices at planting time. Favourable weather conditions and the widespread use of high-yielding seed varieties resulted in above-average yields, the FAO predicted.

The 2024 summer maize crop, accounting for about 15 per cent of the annual output, is currently at flowering and grain-filling stages, and crop conditions are generally favourable. Production of the 2024 wheat crop, harvested in April, is estimated at an average level of 1.1 million tonnes, according to the FAO report.

State of food grains import

Imports of food grains consist mostly of wheat plus some minor quantities of rice and maize. According to the FAO report, Bangladesh set a target to import 7.1 million tonnes of food grains in the 2023-24 marketing year, and that was below the average level for the second consecutive year.

"This is mainly due to the country's low import capacity, caused by dwindling foreign currency reserves and the significant depreciation of the taka from May 2022 to July 2023," the FAO said.

Yet, the food ministry set a target to import 400,000 tonnes of rice in calendar 2024.

Food secretary Md Ismail Hossain told Prothom Alo said that prices of rice and wheat have increased slightly, but farmers are getting fair prices from this additional price, resulting in a rise in production. Besides, no crisis of rice arose in the country despite the low imports.

However, the record food grains harvests in 2022, 2023 and half of 2024 have improved food availability in the country.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Bilal9]

কম ফলনে হতাশ সোনারগাঁয়ের আগাম জাতের লিচু চাষিরা

বারো ভূঁইয়ার শাসনামলে সোনারগাঁ বাণিজ্যের জন্য খুবই বিখ্যাত ছিল। পর্তুগিজরা প্রথম এ অঞ্চলে লিচুর চারা নিয়ে আসেন, তখন থেকেই এখানে লিচু চাষ হয়।

bangla.thedailystar.net

কম ফলনে হতাশ সোনারগাঁয়ের আগাম জাতের লিচু চাষিরা
বারো ভূঁইয়ার শাসনামলে সোনারগাঁ বাণিজ্যের জন্য খুবই বিখ্যাত ছিল। পর্তুগিজরা প্রথম এ অঞ্চলে লিচুর চারা নিয়ে আসেন, তখন থেকেই এখানে লিচু চাষ হয়।

View attachment 5912
স্টার ফাইল ছবি

আগাম জাতের হওয়ায় নারায়ণগঞ্জের সোনারগাঁ উপজেলার লিচু বাগানগুলোতে তুলনামূলক দ্রুত ফল আসে। তবে এ বছর টানা তাপদাহ ও শিলাবৃষ্টিতে লিচুর উৎপাদন কম হয়েছে। বাগান মালিকদের আশঙ্কা, এবার আশানুরূপ মুনাফার দেখা পাওয়া যাবে না।

বাগান মালিক ও কৃষি কর্মকর্তাদের সঙ্গে কথা বলে জানা যায়, নারায়ণগঞ্জের মাটি ও আবহাওয়া লিচু চাষের উপযোগী। যদিও, কেবল সোনারগাঁ উপজেলাতেই লিচুর চাষ হয়। এ বছর উপজেলার ১২টি গ্রামের অন্তত ১০৭ হেক্টর জমিতে ৭৮০টি বাগানে লিচুর বাণিজ্যিক চাষ করা হয়েছে। সাধারণত কদমি, পাতি ও চায়না-৩; এই তিন জাতের লিচু গাছ আছে এসব বাগানে।

সোনারগাঁ উপজেলা কৃষি কর্মকর্তা আফরোজা ইসলাম দ্য ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, গতবছর বাগানগুলোতে ৭০০ মেট্রিক টন লিচু উৎপাদন হয়েছিল। এ বছর বাগানের সংখ্যা বাড়ায় উৎপাদন বেশি হবে বলে আশা ছিল। কিন্তু অত্যধিক গরম ও শিলাবৃষ্টির কারণে এ বছরও ৭০০ মেট্রিক টন উৎপাদন হতে পারে।

গত মঙ্গলবার সোনারগাঁওয়ের ঐতিহ্যবাহী পানাম নগর, চিলারবাগ, উত্তর ষোলপাড়া গ্রামে ঘুরে রাস্তার দুইপাশে সারি সারি লিচু বাগান দেখা যায়। অধিকাংশ বাগানের মালিক মৌসুমি ব্যবসায়ীদের কাছে আগাম বাগান ইজারা দেন। গাছে ফুল আসা থেকে ফলের পরিচর্যা ও লিচু বাজারজাত করা পর্যন্ত সবকিছুই করেন ব্যবসায়ীরা।

মৌসুমি লিচু ব্যবসায়ী রনি আহমেদ এবার ৩০ শতাংশ আয়তনের একটি বাগার ৮৫ হাজার টাকায় ইজারা নিয়েছেন। গাছের পরিচর্যা ও অন্যান্য কাজে বিনিয়োগ করেছেন আরও ২৫ হাজার টাকা। তবে, ভালো ফলন না হওয়ায় হতাশ রনি।

'আমি অন্তত ৩০ হাজার লিচু পাওয়ার আশা করছিলাম। গত দুই দিনে লিচু পেয়েছি মাত্র ২০ হাজার। অথচ দুই বছর আগেও এই বাগান থেকে ৩৬ হাজার লিচু পেয়েছি। এ বছর সময়মতো বৃষ্টি হয় নাই, সেই সঙ্গে ভীষণ গরম ছিল। এজন্য লিচু ঠিকমতো বড় হয়নি। শেষে শিলাবৃষ্টিতে অনেক লিচু নষ্ট হয়ে গেছে', বলেন তিনি।

গাছ থেকে লিচু পেড়ে কুমিল্লার দাউদকান্দিতে একটি আড়তে বিক্রি করার সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছেন রনি। তিনি বলেন, 'বাগানভাড়া ও অন্যান্য খরচ বাদ দিলে হাতে কিছু টাকা থাকবে। কিন্তু পুরো মৌসুমে যে পরিশ্রম করছি এর তুলনায় এটা কিছু না।'

প্রায় একই অভিজ্ঞতার কথা জানান এ অঞ্চলের বড় বাগানের মালিকরা।

উত্তর ষোলপাড়া গ্রামে ২৭০ শতাংশেরও বেশি জমিতে একটি লিচু বাগান করা হয়েছে। এ বাগানে লিচু গাছ আছে ৮৬টি। মঙ্গলবার দুপুরে বাগানটিতে কয়েকজনকে লিচু পেড়ে বাজারে নিয়ে যাওয়ার প্রস্তুতি নিতে দেখা যায়।

এই বাগানের দেখাশোনা করেছেন ৫৯ বছর বয়সী বেনু মোল্লা। দীর্ঘ ৩৫ বছর বিভিন্ন লিচু বাগানে কাজ করা এই প্রবীণ দ্য ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, মাঘ মাসের শেষ দিকে সোনারগাঁয়ের লিচু গাছে ফুল দেখা যায়। লিচু পাড়া শুরু হয় বৈশাখের মাঝামাঝি সময়ে। লিচুর ফলন ভালো হওয়ার জন্য পর্যাপ্ত বৃষ্টি ও অনুকূল আবহাওয়া জরুরি।

বাগানটি ভাড়ায় নেওয়া মো. হানিফ বলেন, 'এবার গাছে ভালো ফুল আসছিল। এইটা দেইখা অন্যবার একটি বাগান লিজ নিলেও এবার তিনটা নিছি। কিন্তু এখন পড়ছি মুশকিলে। রইদের তাপে কোনো সমস্যা ছিল না, যদি সময়মতো বৃষ্টি হইতো। যেই আশায় তিনটা বাগান লিজ নিছিলাম সেই আশা পূরণ হইবো না। কারণ ফলন কম।'

আশানুরূপ ফলন না হলেও লিচু বাজারজাত করতে কোনো ঝামেলা পোহাতে হয় না বলে জানান বাগান মালিক ও মৌসুমি ব্যবসায়ীরা। বেশিরভাগ লিচু উপজেলার মোগরাপাড়া বাজারে ফলের আড়তে বিক্রি হয়। সেখান থেকে রাজধানী ও আশেপাশের এলাকার ফলের বাজারে পৌঁছে যায় লিচু। প্রতি হাজার লিচু তিন-পাঁচ হাজার টাকায় বিক্রি হচ্ছে এ বছর। তবে চায়না-৩ জাতের লিচুর দাম তুলনামূলক বেশি।

এছাড়া, সোনারগাঁ লোক ও কারুশিল্প জাদুঘর এবং পানাম নগরে বেড়াতে আসা দর্শনার্থীরাও লিচু কিনে নিয়ে যান বলে জানান বাগান মালিকরা।

কৃষি কর্মকর্তা আফরোজা দ্য ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, বারো ভূঁইয়ার শাসনামলে সোনারগাঁ বাণিজ্যের জন্য খুবই বিখ্যাত ছিল। পর্তুগিজরা প্রথম এ অঞ্চলে লিচুর চারা নিয়ে আসেন, তখন থেকেই এখানে লিচু চাষ হয়। তবে বাণিজ্যিক চাষ গত কয়েকবছর ধরে বেড়েছে।

'সোনারগাঁয়ের লিচু দেশের অন্যান্য অঞ্চলের তুলনায় অন্তত একমাস আগে বাজারে আসে। দিনাজপুরের লিচু বাজারে আসে আরও কিছুদিন পর। এসব কারণে সোনারগাঁয়ের লিচুর কদর বেশি। বর্তমানে রাজধানীর কাওরানবাজারসহ বিভিন্ন এলাকার বাজারে যেসব লিচু পাওয়া যাচ্ছে এর ৯০ শতাংশই সোনারগাঁয়ে উৎপাদিত।'

এদিকে, এ বছর ফলন কম হওয়ার পেছনে আরও একটি কারণের কথা জানালেন এ কৃষি কর্মকর্তা।

তিনি বলেন, 'এই উপজেলায় অনেক বাগানমালিক আছেন যারা বাগান ভাড়া দিয়ে দেন। ভাড়াটে চাষিরা অনেক সময় গাছের সঠিক পরিচর্যা করেন না। এমনকি কৃষি কর্মকর্তাদেরও পরামর্শ নিতে আসেন না। তীব্র তাপদাহে নিয়মিত পানি ব্যবহার ও সেচের প্রয়োজন আছে। তাছাড়া, লিচু পাড়ার পরও বাগানের পরিচর্যা করতে হয়, নইলে পরের বছর ভালো ফলন পাওয়া যায় না। এক্ষেত্রে অনেকেই উদাসীন।'

তবে, নিজেদের সীমাবদ্ধতার কথা জানিয়ে আফরোজা বলেন, 'বাগান মালিক ও চাষিদের আমরা সবসময় পরামর্শ দিয়ে সহযোগিতা করি। গাছে কীটনাশক ছিটানোর মেশিনও দেওয়া হয়। কিন্তু আমাদের কাছে পর্যাপ্ত মেশিন নেই। এজন্য উপজেলা নির্বাহী কর্মকর্তার কাছে চাহিদাপত্র দেওয়া আছে।'​

I will add English transliteration so non-Bengali speakers can understand the content.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early variety litchi farmers in Sonargaon are disappointed with low yield

During the reign of Baro Bhuiyan, Sonargaon was very famous for trade. The Portuguese first brought litchi seedlings to the region, and since then litchi has been cultivated here.

As it is an early variety, litchi gardens of Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj bears fruit relatively quickly. But this year litchi production has decreased due to continuous heat and hail. Garden owners are afraid, this time they will not see the expected profit.

Talking to garden owners and agricultural officials, it is known that Narayanganj's soil and climate are suitable for litchi cultivation. However, litchi is cultivated only in Sonargaon upazila. This year litchi has been cultivated commercially in 780 gardens on at least 107 hectares of land in 12 villages of the upazila. Usually Kadami, Pati and China-3; There are three types of litchi trees in these gardens.

Sonargaon Upazila Agriculture Officer Afroza Islam told The Daily Star that 700 metric tons of litchi were produced in the gardens last year. This year the production was expected to increase by increasing the number of gardens. But due to excessive heat and hailstorm this year too 700 MT production may be reduced.

Last Tuesday, visiting traditional Panam Nagar, Chilarbagh, North Sholpara village of Sonargaon, rows of litchi gardens can be seen on both sides of the road. Most orchard owners lease orchards in advance to seasonal traders. The traders do everything from flowering the trees to tending the fruit and marketing the litchi.

Roni Ahmed, a seasonal litchi trader, has leased a 30 percent area for Tk 85,000. He invested another 25 thousand rupees in tree care and other works. However, Ronnie is disappointed because of the poor yield.

'I was expecting at least 30,000 litchis. I got only 20 thousand litchi in last two days. But two years ago, I got 36 thousand litchi from this garden. This year it didn't rain on time and it was very hot. That's why litchi did not grow properly. At the end, many litchis have been destroyed by the hailstorm', he said.

Rony has decided to sell litchis to a farm in Daudkandi, Comilla. He said, 'If garden rent and other expenses are excluded, there will be some money in hand. But it's nothing compared to the hard work I've been doing all season.'

Almost the same experience was reported by the owners of large gardens in the region.

A litchi garden has been planted on more than 270 percent of the land in North Sholpara village. There are 86 litchi trees in this garden. On Tuesday afternoon, some people could be seen in the garden preparing to take litchis to the market.

This garden is looked after by 59 year old Benu Molla. This veteran, who has worked in various litchi gardens for 35 years, told The Daily Star that flowers are seen on the litchi trees of Sonargaon at the end of the month of Magh. Lychee harvest begins in the middle of Baisakh. Sufficient rainfall and favorable weather conditions are essential for good yield of litchi.

The garden was rented. Hanif said, 'This time the tree was getting good flowers. Seeing this, I took one garden lease last time, but this time I took three. But now I am reading with difficulty. Raid had no problem with the heat, if it rained in time. The hope with which I had leased three gardens will not be fulfilled. Because the yield is low.'

Garden owners and seasonal traders said that even if the yield is not as expected, there is no problem in marketing litchi. Most of the litchi are sold as fruit in the Mograpara market of the upazila. From there, litchi reaches the fruit markets of the capital and surrounding areas. Every 1000 litchi is being sold for 3-5 thousand rupees this year. However, the price of China-3 type litchi is relatively high.

Apart from this, visitors to Sonargaon Folk and Crafts Museum and Panam Nagar also buy litchis, the garden owners said.

Agriculture officer Afroza told The Daily Star that Sonargaon was very famous for trade during Baro Bhuiyan's rule. The Portuguese first brought litchi seedlings to the region, and since then litchi has been cultivated here. However, commercial cultivation has increased over the past few years.

'Sonargaon's litchi comes to the market at least a month earlier than other parts of the country. Litchi of Dinajpur comes to the market after a few days. Sonargaon litchi is highly valued for these reasons. At present, 90 percent of the litchis that are available in the markets of Kawran Bazar and other areas of the capital are produced in Sonargaon.

Meanwhile, the agricultural officer said another reason behind the low yield this year.

He said, 'There are many garden owners in this upazila who rent gardens. Tenant farmers often do not take proper care of the trees. Even the agriculture officials do not come to take advice. In severe heat, regular water use and irrigation is required. Moreover, even after planting the litchi, the garden needs to be tended, otherwise the next year will not produce a good harvest. Many are indifferent in this regard.'

However, Afroza said about their limitations, "We always advise and support garden owners and farmers. Machines are also provided to spray pesticides on trees. But we don't have enough machines."

For this reason, a demand-requisition letter has been submitted to the upazila executive officer to provide more machines.

 

[Saif]

Climate Change: Bangladesh may lose a third of agri output by 2050

Climate variability could result in the loss of one-third of Bangladesh’s agricultural GDP by 2050, said a recent World Bank report.

www.thedailystar.net

Climate Change: Bangladesh may lose a third of agri output by 2050
Says a recent WB report

File photo

Climate variability could result in the loss of one-third of Bangladesh's agricultural GDP by 2050, said a recent World Bank report.

By 2040, it could cause the loss of 6.5 percent of the country's cropland, said the report titled 'Framework for Implementing Green Growth in Bangladesh'.

The report, which was released yesterday, said climate variability could result in the loss of 18 percent of the cropland in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh faced an estimated average annual loss of $1 billion (0.7 percent of GDP) from tropical cyclones alone.

Also, the coastal population is at risk from events such as 100-year coastal floods, which could become more frequent.

"Climate and other environmental hazards have greater impacts on the poor and other vulnerable groups. Efforts to reduce poverty, particularly amongst populations whose livelihoods rely heavily on natural resources, continue to be hampered by climate change," the WB said in the report.

Green growth -- which balances economic prosperity with environmental compliance, benefits and protection -- can be a strong and sustainable driver of growth.

Subsequently, the report proposed nine key policy directions that aim to achieve three overarching objectives: effective environmental governance and energy transition, new engines and skills for green growth and a just transition to a resilient, green and healthy society.

The policy directions include strengthening environmental governance, promoting renewable energy trade, promoting inclusive connectivity through green transport and logistics systems, investing in green industries and human capital, and improving public health and wellbeing, among others.

It is important that all the recommended policies work together for them to be successful, the report said.

"Global experience shows that growth that harms the environment cannot be sustained. On the other hand, green growth can offer a strong and effective way to reduce poverty while safeguarding our environment, essentially serving as a catalyst for growth," said Abdoulaye Seck, the WB's country director for Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Highlighting several shortcomings of budget implementation in climate financing, the report says Bangladesh has multiple environmental laws, regulations and plans and yet demonstrates weak performance in environmental management.

Implementation challenges primarily relate to two issues.

One is a case for prioritisation of public investment within the annual development programme managed by the planning ministry together with line ministries.

Second, limited coordination exists between the ADP formulation process and the annual budget process, which is managed by the finance ministry.

"These shortcomings have resulted in an inefficient public investment management system, with insufficient budgetary allocations to investment projects and a low execution rate," the WB said in the report.

Bangladesh's climate-related allocation currently stands at 7.5 percent of the total budget or 0.8 percent of GDP.

The report also highlighted weaknesses in Bangladesh's financial sector weaknesses.

Structural weaknesses in Bangladesh's banking system and institutional bottlenecks pose some of the biggest challenges to increasing the volume and range of green financing instruments, resulting in green investments being perceived as riskier than non-green ones.

To read the rest of the news, please click mon the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Centres opened to help farmers get fair price

Agritech startup Fashol Dotcom Limited and SAFE have collaborated to establish three farmers\' centres in the Barendra region, notably in Natore, Rajshahi and Bogura districts, to address challenges farmers encounter when selling their produce....

www.newagebd.net

Centres opened to help farmers get fair price
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 14 June, 2024, 19:58

| UNB photo.

Agritech startup Fashol Dotcom Limited and SAFE have collaborated to establish three farmers' centres in the Barendra region, notably in Natore, Rajshahi and Bogura districts, to address challenges farmers encounter when selling their produce, according to a press release on Friday.

The Fashol Farmers' Centres were opened last Monday in the presence of nearly 300 farmers. Among those who attended the event were SAFE founder Arifa Jesmin Kanika, Fashol founder and CEO Sakib Hossain, SAFE co-founder Nasima Akter Nisha, Singra Municipality Mayor Md Jannatul Ferdous, Fashol co-founder Mamunur Rashid, agricultural officers from the three sub-districts and Fashol's head of distribution Nasir Uddin.

According to government agricultural officers, these three sub-districts are home to about 4,00,000 farmers. These farmers sell their agricultural products to buyers across the country via multiple intermediaries, where they are frequently subjected to uncertainty and receive low prices for their production.

Farmers can use these Fashol Farmers' Centres to send their products all across the country without the need for intermediaries. Currently, about 25 to 30 per cent of produce is lost during transportation to customers; however, with supply chain technology and Fashol's direct supply chain, this may be reduced to less than 4 per cent, they said.

SAFE founder Arifa Jesmin stated that Bangladesh was an agricultural country. However, the amount of fertile land available for agriculture decreases rapidly year after year. To boost production on available land, the essential actions must be implemented. In this regard, SAFE has collaborated with Fashol to help farmers develop in agriculture. These Fashol Centres provide farmers with a wide range of services.

Farmers can sell their agricultural products at good prices at these centres, receive 24-hour agricultural assistance, purchase contemporary technology and obtain correct seeds to boost output.

According to the press release, Fashol Dotcom Limited, one of the country's major vegetable supply chain networks, has launched a new project to bring about necessary improvements in the agriculture industry.

Company's CEO Sakib Hossain said that they had intended to establish 300 Fashol Centres by the end of 2025, each connected via Fashol's supply chain technology. These Farmers' Centres will allow about 1 million farmers in more than 40 districts to sell their products.​

 

[Saif]

Chittagong Hill Tracts transform into a new hub of agriculture

“You are being transferred to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.”

www.thedailystar.net

From Bare To Bountiful
Chittagong Hill Tracts transform into a new hub of agriculture

Photo: Laltanlian Pangkhua

"You are being transferred to the Chittagong Hill Tracts."

This was a popular dialogue in the climactic scene of Bengali movies in the 1990s, when the hilly regions were looked upon as the backwoods of the nation, a place where government employees would be posted as a punitive measure.

However, the 'backwards' CHT of the past now stands as a beacon of massive economic, educational, and social progress. Once, thousands of acres were uncultivated in the CHT. Now, the areas are full of various crops and fruits.

A few hundred years ago, rice, tea, and oilseeds were cultivated in the plains between the valleys of the CHT, earning it the acclaim of being known as Karpas Mahal (land of cotton) during the Mughal Empire.

But as times changed, so did the mode of cultivation. Jhum cultivation, also known as slash and burn agriculture, was the dominant force in the region in the past. While it remains a tradition, it is no longer the way of life.

Now, the region is filled with all kinds of crops throughout the year as the community cultivates cashew nuts, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, jackfruits, bananas, oranges, guavas, dragon fruits, strawberries, lemons, papayas, custard-apples, wood apples, ginger, and turmeric.

Vegetables are also produced, with most being organic as they hardly apply fertilisers since the soil is fertile and naturally yields abundantly. At present, orchards upon orchards of fruit are being cultivated in the hills.

The three hilly districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban -- now produce about 20 percent of the total fruit in Bangladesh, according to officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). This is a result of modern farming methods.

Once a rare sight in the CHT, power tillers, pumps, and tractors combined with modern irrigation systems and the use of improved seed varieties have replaced the traditional farming system.

Mohammed Basirul Alam, acting deputy director of the DAE of Khagrachhari, said there are around 3,500 people in the district who cultivate mangoes on around 4,150 hectares.

According to DAE estimates, Khagrachhari will produce around 49,000 tonnes of mangoes this year. Alam believes mangoes worth around Tk 200 crore are grown in the district annually.

Md Altaf Hossain, chief scientific officer of the Hill Agriculture Research Station under the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Station in Khagrachhari, said fruit production increased substantially in the three hill districts in the past 15 years on the back of the improvement in the communication systems and growing entrepreneurial mindset.

He is also the project director of the "Cashew nut and coffee research project".

Once, mangoes would be brought to the CHT from Rajshahi, but according to Hossain, the three districts now meet over 20 percent of the country's demand for the delicious fruit.

Although it would be impossible to pinpoint the moment that things began to shift, the introduction of mobile networks to the region in 2008 undoubtedly shaped its economic destiny. Numerous infrastructure development projects since 2009, including the widening of roads and bridges boosted connectivity in the remote areas of the CHT. That played a major role, as did the connection to the national electricity grid.

Such bold initiatives brought a change in the mindset of the educated young generation, who began investing and profiting. Seeing that success, the next generation was encouraged to invest in agriculture.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​