AGRICULTURE OF BANGLADESH

Bangladesh:
People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in Asia. Formerly known as East Pakistan. The Country won independence in 1971.

Agriculture of Bangladesh
a. Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country.

b. Agriculture includes the sub-sectors of crop, livestock, forestry and fisheries. c. Bangladesh Agriculture is now in the process of transformation from subsistence farming into commercial farming.

Role of Agriculture in Bangladesh Economy

Agriculture sector contributes about 22 % to the country's GDP. Almost 60% of total population is employed in agriculture sector. Around 27 % of countrys exports is consist of agricultural and agro based commodities.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BANGLADESH AGRICULTURE

Water-use efficiency is low. Agricultural holdings in Bangladesh are generally small. Crop Production is highly labor Intensive and there is abundance of labor in the country. Soil fertility and environmental conditions is favorable for growing a large number crops.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BANGLADESH AGRICULTURE

Traditional methods of production are used by the farmers. Natural hazards like flood and heavy rainfall have been affecting the production systems at different levels. Land Productivity is declining due to intensive use of Fertilizers, Pesticides and intensive cropping .

Major farming and Production systems

1. Production systems used by farmers in Bangladesh are characterized by low efficiency.

2. Poverty of small and marginal farmers limits their ability to make sufficient investments in production systems.

METHODS OF PRODUCTION USED IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

METHODS OF PRODUCTION
Mechanized irrigation in the form of low lift pump, deep tube-well along with chemical fertilizers and pesticides played a key role in increasing production.

Power thresher has been developed and it is estimated that more than 60 thousand are in use in the country.

2012 34.2 million tons production

Self sufficiency in food

2008 31.9 million ton production

*Breakeven point

5 Strategy for achieving self-sufficiency in food

Major Productions

The 3 main crops Rice, Jute and Tea have dominated agricultural exports. The production of rice, reached 19.9 million metric tons. Bangladesh also produces Tea leaves, mainly for export and it contributes only 1% of the country's hard currency earnings. Jute, often called the "Golden Fibre" of Bengal, it is the main export-earner for Bangladeshi agriculture.

AGRICULTURE VALUE ADDED IN BANGLADESH

LAND USE SCENARIOS IN BANGLADESH

Cultivated land, forestland and farmhouses are the major land use types in Bangladesh.
The land area not available for cultivation includes mainly urban, rural settlements, and industrial lands cover around one-fourth of the total national land area. Area covered by farmhouses is around 9.3% of the total land area.

LAND USE SCENARIOS IN BANGLADESH

Land Use Types Total land area Hectares (in 000) 14.7 million

Area under cultivation

9.3 million

Forest area

2.2 million

Irrigated land

3.7 million

Number of farm holdings

11.3 million

COMPARISON OF AGRICULTURE SECTOR PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH Bangladesh is using modern scientific methods to increase their yield per acre, whereas Pakistan applies old methods of cultivation. The Department of Agriculture of Bangladesh provides extension services to farmers but in Pakistan there is no such department. In Bangladesh The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) is providing improved marketing services to ensure fair returns to the farmers but In Pakistan no such department has established yet.

Agricultural growth

BANGLADESH AGRICULTURE STATISTICS 111 Ranked 71st. 8,484 thousand hectares

PAKISTAN AGRICULTURE STATICTICS 129 Ranked 25th. 21.960 thousand hectares

Arable and permanent cropland

Fertilizer use Food production index

156.3 kg 104.6 %

135.1 kg 110.6 %

Labor share Tractors

54.7% 5,530

46.6% 320,500

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PAKISTAN

Small farmers must be focused. Productivity enhancement programme must be constituted. Latest machinery should be provided to the farmers to increase the per acre yield. Different Agricultural zones should be introduced and extension services should be provided to farmers.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BANGLADESH

Timely supply of agricultural inputs at affordable prices. Appropriate Action Plan for marketing of agricultural products. Enhance rate of private sector- participation in different sectors of agriculture.

Conclusion:

Bangladesh is an agrarian country. Agriculture plays a vital role in economy in terms of food security, and export earning This sector is the largest contributor to income and employment generation and a fundamental element in the countrys challenge to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

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