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Bangladesh is the second largest grain cereal in the world. After independence wheat production like rice did not increase as expected. The annual demand of wheat in the country is more or less 7 million tons. And the amount of wheat produced in the country is limited between 10 to 12 lakh tons.
The Ukraine-Russia war has affected the wheat sector as Bangladesh is the 3rd largest wheat importer after Ukraine. According to FAO's calculations, among the countries in the world that have the fastest-growing rate of wheat imports, Bangladesh ranks second. About 53 lakh 42 thousand 800 tons of wheat has been imported in the financial year 2020-21.
According to the Bangladesh Economic Survey 2021, 1,650 million US dollars were spent on wheat imports in the fiscal year 2019-20. As a result, there is no alternative but to increase the production of this grain in the country.
Modern varieties of wheat:
Barigum-28, Barigum-29, Barigum-30, Barigum-31, Barigum-32, Barigum-33, WMRI wheat 1, WMRI wheat 2, WMRI wheat Sb.
Seed treatment:
Wheat is susceptible to fungal blasts, leaf rust and spot diseases, and other seed-borne diseases. Attacks of these diseases occur in relatively hot and humid climates from the seedling stage of wheat to the time of emergence and flowering. The incidence of these diseases can be reduced if wheat seeds are sown after treatment. The seeds should be treated with an approved fungicide before sowing.
For example:
1. Carboxyl 37.5% and thiram 37.5% group Provax-200 WP fungicides should be mixed at the rate of 3 grams per kg of wheat seeds to treat the seeds.
2. Carboxyl 17.5% and Thirum 17.5% group of Vitaflo 200 FF fungicides should be mixed at the rate of 3 ml per kg of wheat seeds to treat the seeds.
3. Eprodione 50% group Roveral 50 WP fungicide should be mixed at the rate of 3 grams per kg of wheat seed for seed treatment.
Seed Storage:
Before storage, threshed seeds should be dried well in the sun for 2-3 days to bring down the moisture content of the seeds to 12% or below. If dry wheat breaks with a 'crack' sound while chewing, it means that the seed is suitable for storage. Before storage, after shaking and cleaning well, sift through a sieve with 1.75-2.50 mm aperture and select the nutritious seeds. Proper storage will maintain seed health and germination capacity.
Environmental scientists have blamed global warming and climate change for the reduction of winter stability in Bangladesh and wheat cultivation is also decreasing due to this. Besides, the three main grains of rabi season are boro paddy, wheat, and maize. Apart from this, some of the most profitable crops are potatoes, various types of pulses, oilseeds, and various types of vegetables in the field. The wheat crop has to compete with boro paddy and much-needed cropland during rabi season. However, if attention is paid to improved varieties, labor shortage, rat infestation, threshing problems, wheat blast disease, and agricultural mechanization to increase wheat cultivation, good days will return to wheat cultivation.
Ensuring food security, affordability and price stability of wheat should be a priority for policymakers, farmers, and consumers in Bangladesh. This involves addressing the underlying factors affecting wheat prices, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, increasing domestic production, and improving the overall supply chain to create a resilient and secure wheat market.
Analyzing wheat price trends in Bangladesh for 2024 requires a comprehensive understanding of the various factors influencing the market. While global factors such as climate change, international market dynamics, and government policies play an important role, local considerations such as transport infrastructure and currency exchange rates are equally important. Continuous monitoring of these factors, along with proactive measures to increase domestic wheat production and improve supply chains, can help mitigate potential challenges posed by wheat price fluctuations. Ensuring food security, affordability, and wheat price stability should be a priority for policymakers, farmers, and consumers in Bangladesh.
- SZK based on online information
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