01.

Agriculture sector in Bangladesh- its composition, trends, issues and

problems-
What are the major crops of Bangladesh? Explain the trends of food
grain production in Bangladesh? What are the major issues and problems
facing the agriculture sector of Bangladesh? Explain.

Ans
Basically Bangladesh is an agriculture based country, as because the major portion
our total economy depends on agriculture. The overall contribution of the broad
agriculture sector at constant prices is projected at 20.87percent of GDP in 2007-08. The
contribution of this broad sector was 21.37 percent in 2006-07.Though, the direct
contribution of the agriculture sector decreased slightly, it has indirect contribution to the
overall growth of GDP. The growth of broad service sector, particularly the growth of
wholesale and retail trade, hotel and restaurants, transport and communication sectors is
strongly supported by the agriculture sector. Besides, about 48.1 percent of the total
labour forces of the country are engaged in agriculture (BBS Labour Force Survey, 2005-
06).
The 3 main crops—rice, jute, and tea—have dominated agricultural exports for
decades, although the rice is grown almost entirely for domestic consumption,
while jute and tea are the main export earners. In addition to these products,
Bangladeshi farmers produce sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and various fruits and
vegetables (sweet potatoes, bananas, pineapples, etc.) for the domestic market.

Fishing and livestock is another important activity in the country, contributing

more than 4.9 percent to the GDP (1999-2000) and providing 6 percent of the
total export income. The overall fish production was around 1.6 million metric
tons (1999-2000). Bangladesh mainly exports its shrimp to the international
market.

Food Grains Production

According to BBS final estimate, food grains production for FY 2006-07 was 289.42 lakh
metric tons of which Aus accounted for 15.12 lakh metric tons, Aman 108.41 lakh metric
tons, Boro149.65 lakh metric tons and wheat 7.25 lakh metric tons. According to BBS
final estimate, the volume of food grains production in FY 2007-08 was 311.21 lakh
metric tons of which Aus accounted for 15.07 lakh metric tons, Aman 96.62 lakh metric
tons, Boro 177.62 lakh metric tons and wheat 8.44 lakh metric tons. Besides, the
production of potatoes increases each year notably.In FY 2000-01, the total production of
potatoes amounted at 32.16 lakh metric tons, which increased to 51.67 lakh metric tons in
FY2006-07 and this production amounted at 80 lakh metric tons in FY2007-08 by
superseding the target of 75 lakh metric tons. The United Nations declared the year 2008
as ‘International Potato Year’ considering world wide decline of food grains production
specially downturn in rice production and the importance of potatoes in food items.
Besides, according to final estimate of BBS, Jute production in FY 2007-08 was 46.22
lakh bales,
which was 48.84 lakh bales in FY2006-07. Table represents the food grains productions
status from FY 2001-02 to FY 2007-08:

Food 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007-

grains 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Aus 18.08 18.51 18.32 15.00 17.45 15.12 15.07

Amon 107.26 111.15 115.21 98.20 108.10 108.41 96.62

Boro 127.66 122.22 128.37 138.37 139.75 149.65 177.62

Total Rice 243.00 251.88 261.90 251.57 265.53 273.18 289.31

Wheat 16.06 15.07 12.53 9.76 7.35 7.25 8.44
Maize 1.52 1.75 2.41 3.56 5.22 8.99 13.46
Total 260.58 268.70 276.43 264.89 277.87 289.42 311.21

Problems facing

Bangladesh is prone to natural calamities like the floods or cyclones. Whenever the
country is devastated by cyclone or floods, this hampers the food production. In such a
situation, if the governmental policy or mechanism for food imports does not synchronize
well, then we suffer from food scarcity.
In the years 1988, 1989 & 1999 we had severe floods which engulfed two third of the
total areas of the country, in such a situation, one crop had totally failed, however, the
huge quantity and rapid grain imports had tackled the situation.

In November 2007, the southern part of the country had been totally devastated by
Cyclone Sidr. This was also responsible for the massive crop failure. During the
beginning of the year 2008 we were having a sort of food crisis, for the crop failure
secondly for the world wide food grain shortage and also the price spiral. This had a very
negative impact. The food grain price had nearly doubled and it was very difficult for the
poor people to buy food. People at the lower strata suffered a lot, but there were no
reports of starvation related deaths. However, situation changed with the next harvest
which was a bumper crop. The prices of food grains had come down now.
The other food related issue in Bangladesh is the availability of fertilizers, seeds, proper
irrigation system to the farmers. If any of these components fall short, it too has negative
impact in rice production. For example, the newly elected Government after being elected
at the end of last year, immediately arranged 50% subsidies for fertilizers, again we had a
drought like situation here in Bangladesh during this monsoon, the Government
immediately had provided free electricity to the farmers for irrigation purpose. These
steps augments the food production in the country.

The other issue is that when the price of food goes up the people whom we term as ultra
poor, looses the buying capacity, resulting in less food intake. The problem of
malnutrition comes up then.
Similarly, in the northern part of the country, when the harvest is over during the winter
season, no work is available in the field. Being unemployed the poor people loose the
capacity to buy food, though food is available in the market. This is somewhat an annual
phenomenon in the northern region, especially in the districts of Rangpur, Dinajpur etc.
We term this as ‘monga’ a semi famine like situation. The ultra poor section of the
country suffers a lot during that time. Now a days the Government takes much measures
to provide work for the people so that they can have some income to buy their food and
the situation is improving each year.

The food supply situtation of our country is more or less quite secure. However, we have
to be cautious, especially dealing the food production during droughts, floods, cyclones.
We have to see that the farmers have easy access ot agricultural amenities always and
also they have a fair price of the products. Thus we can maintain a favorable condition in
food production in our country.