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Bangladesh's
main food crop is rice, which consumes about 75 percent of agricultural land
(and 28 percent of GDP). During the 1980s (through 1987) rice production
increased every year except FY 1981, but annual growth was generally small in
keeping with population. In fiscal year 1986, rice production crossed 15
million tonnes for the first time. In the mid-1980s, Bangladesh was the fourth
largest rice producer in the world, but its productivity was lower than that of
other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. High-yielding varieties
of seed, fertilizer application, and irrigation have increased yields, although
these inputs also increase production costs and mainly benefit wealthy farmers.
Rice
cultivation in Bangladesh varies according to seasonal changes in water supply.
The major crop is 'Aman', which occurs in November and December and accounts
for more than half of the annual production. Some paddy for the 'Aman' crop is
sown in spring by the broadcast method, matured by summer rains, and harvested
in autumn. High-yielding methods include starting seeds in special beds and
planting during summer monsoon. The second crop is aus, which involves
traditional strains but often with high-yielding, dwarf varieties. Paddy for
the Aush crop is sown in March or April, benefits from the April and May rains,
matures in the summer rains, and is harvested in the summer. With the
increasing use of irrigation, there is an increasing focus on another
rice-growing season extended to the dry season from October to March.
Production of this boro rice, including high-yielding varieties, expanded
rapidly until the mid-1980s when production dropped to just under 4 million
tons. Where irrigation is possible, paddy production twice a year is common for
fields throughout Bangladesh. Paddy production in the country increased to 44
million tonnes in the fiscal year 2021-22 (FY22), breaking the previous record.
Currently, Bangladesh is the third largest country in the world in rice production.
But
Bangladesh ranks at the bottom among South Asian countries in terms of
productivity growth. This information was presented in a keynote paper
presented at the Agricultural Conference titled 'Transformation of Bangladesh
Agriculture: Contribution of Kazi Badruddoza' organized by the Bangladesh
Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) in the past. The keynote paper was
presented by the Professor of Agricultural Business and Marketing Department of
Bangladesh Agricultural University. Jahangir Alam.
According
to the keynote paper, Bangladesh has seen the fastest growth in rice
production, but the productivity growth rate is only 1%. Whereas China's
productivity rate is 3.7%, India's 2.4%, Thailand and Vietnam's 1.9%, Indonesia
and Sri Lanka's 1.8%, and Nepal's 1.7%. Productivity growth is said to be low
due to Bangladesh's high 'yield gap' compared to neighboring countries.
Professor
of Agricultural Business and Marketing Department of Bangladesh Agricultural
University. Jahangir Alam said, "Climate change is hampering our
production. We have 6.71 lakh acres of cultivable land which we are not able to
bring under cultivation. At a time when global production is decreasing due to
the Russia-Ukraine war, our food production has become an added challenge. If we
can grow our food, no global crisis can harm us."
The
then Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzak said, "Kazi Badruddoza
dreamed of making traditional agriculture science-based and he did it. This was
the first transformation of Bangladesh's agriculture. Now we have to take up
the challenge of the second transformation."
He
said, that starting from paddy planting to threshing, agriculture should be
commercialized through mechanization. At the same time, our challenge is to
transform agriculture into modern agriculture through the processing of
agricultural products.
He
said that due to the good yield, the price of rice in the market is going down.
No need to import from abroad. The reason for this is our good breed. Earlier,
2-3 maunds of paddy were used per bigha in Aushe. Due to fertilizers, better
varieties, and irrigation now Boro also produces the highest rice production;
More than 21 maunds per bigha. This is the big transformation of agriculture.
President
of ACI Agri-Business. FH Ansari said that apart from the government, the
private sector is also making a significant contribution to agricultural
research in the country. Private investors have developed two varieties of
high-yielding wheat, registered 93% hybrid rice varieties, and 22.5% dry-meter
industrial potatoes. Besides, more than 600 hybrids of 45 vegetables are being
researched or imported.
He
said, there are challenges in the agriculture of the future. Because humidity
is increasing, new types of diseases are increasing. The challenges of climate
change include reduced rainfall and longer winters, rising temperatures, rising
sea levels, and rising salinity. The rapid development of 'climate-smart' crop
varieties and increased capacity to scale up as well as narrowing the yield gap
are needed.
-SZK,
based on online information
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