[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

'Bangladesh holds strategic significance in Bayer's growth map'

The Better Life Farming (BLF) initiative is a key global effort aimed at achieving this goal. Bangladesh is a key target country for Bayer’s BLF initiative, which is rapidly expanding its reach within the country, said Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Cluster Head, Bayer CropScience, India, Banglades

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'Bangladesh holds strategic significance in Bayer's growth map'

FE Online
Published :
Jun 18, 2025 18:13
Updated :
Jun 18, 2025 18:13

Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Cluster Head of Bayer CropScience for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka (right), is discussing with Md. Fazlur Rahman, Chairman of BCIC and Bayer CropScience Ltd, Bangladesh (middle), and Zahidul Islam, Managing Director of Bayer CropScience Ltd (left)

The Better Life Farming (BLF) initiative is a key global effort aimed at achieving this goal. Bangladesh is a key target country for Bayer’s BLF initiative, which is rapidly expanding its reach within the country, said Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Cluster Head, Bayer CropScience, India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka (IBSL), during an interview with The Financial Express. Text of the interview follows:

Question (Q): Mr Wiebusch, how does Bayer view Bangladesh in terms of its agricultural market potential within the South Asia region?

Answer (A): Agriculture in Bangladesh has tremendous potential. Its large population and rising demand for food has created a significant opportunity for innovative solutions. The country’s strong agricultural backbone aligns with Bayer’s mission to transform farming through technology, productivity, and sustainability.

Q: What potential do you see in the Bangladeshi agricultural sector for Bayer's future growth?

A: Bangladesh has a young, dynamic farming community that’s increasingly open to adopting new technologies. The government is investing in modernizing agriculture, which creates opportunities for Bayer to introduce high-yield seeds, crop protection products, and digital farming tools. There’s also significant potential in areas like climate-resilient agriculture and precision farming.

Q: What is Bayer’s mid-to-long-term plan for Bangladesh?

A: Our plan is focused on expanding our footprint in Bangladesh by deepening farmer outreach, introducing new innovations, and building stronger local partnerships. We aim to bring more hybrid seeds, invest in training programs,advance agronomic practices by combining seeds, best crop protection solutions and ensuring soil health to ensure regenerative agriculture in Bangladesh.. Additionally, we're exploring collaborations with startups and Agri-tech platforms to accelerate digital transformation— all with the broader goal of meeting the growing need for nutritional security for 220 Million Bangladeshi's, while also enabling potential export opportunities in the future.

Q: Operating in a new market often comes with unique challenges. What has Bayer’s experience been in Bangladesh?

A: Every market has its own nuances and challenges. In Bangladesh, the opportunities far outweigh the challenges and with strong cooperation from the government and local stakeholders we are confident of overcoming the challenges. Our focus is on building long-term relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared value.

Q: Can you highlight some of Bayer’s ongoing initiatives that are making a difference in Bangladesh?

A: Certainly. We’ve launched farmer education programs focused on safe and effective use of crop protection solutions. Bayer has also initiated collaborations to support women in agriculture and promote sustainable practices. Our product portfolio is being continuously expanded to ensure farmers have access to the best inputs available. One such very successful initiative are the Better Life Farming centres set up by Bayer in Bangladesh.Bayer has set an SDG goal to empower 100 million smallholder farmers worldwide by 2030. The Better Life Farming (BLF) initiative is a key global effort aimed at achieving this goal. Bangladesh is a key target country for Bayer’s BLF initiative, which is rapidly expanding its reach within the country.

The BLF initiative seeks to enhance the income and living standards of smallholder farmers by providing holistic solutions both on and off the crop field, primarily through increased yields and the smart utilization of resources. With approximately 1,000 BLF centers nationwide, Bayer is connecting with smallholder farmers to offer innovative crop protection solutions and high-yield hybrid seeds. We also share knowledge of modern agricultural technology through extensive training sessions, result demonstrations, and method showcases led by dedicated agronomists.

As part of Bayer’s stewardship commitment, BLF promotes the safe use of pesticides among farmers. Additionally, we are exploring collaborations with technology, nutrient, and other industries to address needs beyond quality seeds and crop protection solutions.

Q: What kind of support or policy framework would you like to see from the Bangladesh government to encourage further investment?

A: A stable and predictable regulatory environment is key. We also welcome policies that encourage innovation, protect intellectual property, and support digital infrastructure in rural areas. Public-private partnerships, faster registration of new products and technologies and increased investment in agri-research will further boost the confidence of large and established companies like Bayer.​

 

[Saif]

Govt needs to take measures to stop farmland loss

A GRADUAL loss of agricultural land poses a threat to food security. A Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey report says that farmland has been eroded by 3.75 per cent over eight years. The survey, covering 2015–2023 and highlighting some critical environmental and climate issues, says that a...

www.newagebd.net

Govt needs to take measures to stop farmland loss
24 June, 2025, 00:00

A GRADUAL loss of agricultural land poses a threat to food security. A Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey report says that farmland has been eroded by 3.75 per cent over eight years. The survey, covering 2015–2023 and highlighting some critical environmental and climate issues, says that a lack of commitment to saving farmland and rapid, unplanned urbanisation are mainly responsible for the loss. The survey also says that natural forest cover has decreased by 5.41 per cent in the period although there has been a 27.36 per cent increase in planted forests. The loss of farmland and natural forests has a direct impact on food production and food security. The gradual loss will only exacerbate the already fragile food security. Bangladesh slipped by three notches in the Global Hunger Index 2024 and ranked 84th among 127 nations. The alarming state of farmland loss came to light in a number of studies too, but the authorities appear to have taken little effective measures to save agricultural land.

The Agricultural Census 2019, for instance, shows that net cultivable land had decreased by 2 per cent over a decade. The decline has for long been a matter of concern as the economy still heavily relies on agricultural production and unplanned industrialisation along with the unauthorised conversion of farmland for commercial use continues unchecked. Experts point out that ambiguities in land use legislation, coupled with weak enforcement, are a major contributing factor to the steady loss of farmland. Enacting an effective law is, therefore, an essential first step towards a better land governance. Legislation alone, however, cannot effectively halt the destruction of arable land. Reports have documented cases where influential individuals or groups have repurposed farmland for commercial ventures in violation of laws and regulations while the authorities have largely remained indifferent. The widespread loss of topsoil because of illegal brick kilns is another known issue. A previous study estimates that around 25 billion bricks are produced annually using conventional methods that destroy about 100 million tonnes of topsoil. The government has not only failed to curb the commercial misuse of agricultural land but has in many instances undertaken development projects that have caused the destruction of farmland.

The government should, therefore, take the issue of farmland loss and associated risks of food insecurity seriously and take early steps to amend laws and rework policies. The government needs to take action against industrial establishments and brick kilns illegally built on agricultural land and review the land use policy to stop its development projects that destroy farmland.​

 

[Saif]

How to ensure a transparent rice supply chain

Food on the plate is the very first thing people need every day, and with rice being the staple, its price is a matter of overriding concern for the general public. When rice prices soar, the poor and low-income people become more food insecure. A steady rise in rice prices has already forced this

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

How to ensure a transparent rice supply chain

Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Jun 25, 2025 23:49
Updated :
Jun 25, 2025 23:49

Food on the plate is the very first thing people need every day, and with rice being the staple, its price is a matter of overriding concern for the general public. When rice prices soar, the poor and low-income people become more food insecure. A steady rise in rice prices has already forced this low-income people to spend a disproportionate share of their earnings on rice alone, cutting back on fish, meat, and other vital sources of protein. As such, rice price is a major public concern and a particularly sensitive issue.

Yet the rice market remains highly vulnerable to manipulation, dominated by large millers and traders. This syndicate exploits the system for windfall profits by hoarding and creating artificial shortages. On one hand, they short-change farmers, leaving them barely able to recover production costs; on the other, they charge consumers exorbitantly high prices.

Large millers exert control over virtually every stage of the supply chain, from the initial procurement of paddy and its subsequent processing, storage to the final stages of distribution to wholesalers and retailers. This monopoly has created a fertile ground for market distortions.

For example, in this Boro season, large millers have purchased paddy from farmers at low prices before Eid, stored it in warehouses, and are now raising prices under various pretexts. Over the past week, rice prices have soared by Tk 2 to 8 per kilogram, despite the bumper harvest and adequate stock. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, a record 21.4 million tonnes of Boro paddy have been harvested from 0.48 million hectares of land. So the question is, why is this sudden price hike in spite of the good harvest and adequate stock?

To curb persistent inflation, the government has been pursuing a contractionary monetary policy since assuming office about 10 months back. Besides, over 200 traders were given permission to import rice and the import duties were substantially waived. And yet, despite these significant initiatives, there has been little to no reflection of their intended impact on the rice market. Even though the overall inflation trend shows a modest downward trajectory and prices for most other consumer items have begun to cool, rice remains an exception. A brief, modest decline was indeed observed in the past month, largely due to the peak Boro harvesting season. However, as soon as the newly harvested rice left the hands of farmers and entered the supply chain, millers began increasing prices. This has been a recurring issue for years, and it is time to establish much-needed transparency and accountability in this murky supply chain.

In order to do so, the policymakers can consider establishing a comprehensive and integrated rice supply network which would create a system of transparency and accountability. It could begin with a mandatory, dedicated rice supply chain registration and licensing system. Every single actor involved in the rice supply chain, from the individual farmer who sells directly to the market in large quantities, to intermediaries like wholesalers, millers, traders, dealers, and hoarders, and finally to large-scale retailers, would be legally required to hold a specific license to deal in rice. Only licensed individuals or entities would be permitted to engage in any rice-related trade activity, whether it's processing, large-scale storage, or marketing. Robust mechanisms should be established to collect and maintain accurate, up-to-date data on all license holders, including their legal identity, operational capacity (e.g., milling capacity, storage capacity), geographic location, and business history. All this comprehensive license holder data would be centrally stored at the upazila and district level for localised monitoring.

Besides, all the millers and traders throughout the supply chain should be mandated to submit weekly updates regarding their current stock levels of paddy and rice, volumes produced or processed, utilisation of their licensed storage capacity, purchase and selling prices, and total sales volumes from the preceding week. These weekly reports should be submitted directly to the respective Deputy Commissioner's office, which would be responsible for receiving, verifying, and analysing this data. Such frequent data submission would allow for the early detection of unusual spikes in stock levels that could flag potential hoarding. This constant scrutiny would also act as a powerful deterrent against illegal stockpiling outside registered capacities, making it difficult for unscrupulous entities to manipulate supply or prices without detection. Furthermore, real-time data on supply, demand, and prices would enable the government to make more informed decisions regarding imports, exports, and market interventions.

While some consumer protection measures currently exist at the retail level, they are insufficient to oversee the entire complex supply chain. Department of Consumer Rights Protection (DCRP) will have to play a pivotal role, coordinating closely with district administrations. They will have to regularly inspect the licensed warehouses to verify reported stock levels against actual inventory, cross-check their transaction documents, and ensure full compliance with all licensing rules and reporting requirements.

Lastly, it will require strong collaboration among relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce. Through such a unified, inter-ministerial approach, the rice supply chain can be managed in a coherent manner, rather than the current fragmented system. This will pave the way for a transparent supply chain.

Ultimately, the successful implementation of such a unified licensing and monitoring framework can dramatically improve transparency and eliminate entrenched malpractice in the rice market. A transparent supply chain is not only essential for protecting consumers and farmers but also a necessary step towards ensuring food security and good governance.​