Bangladesh has set a unique example in the world by producing huge agricultural products on limited land.

In the last 11 years, the country got more than 2.5 crore population. People have built houses and commercial establishments on agricultural lands. Despite this situation, there was no food shortage in the county as farmers produced a huge amount of rice, fruits and vegetables. Besides, the production of fish, meat, egg and milk also increased during the period.    

During the ongoing global food crisis apprehension, the World Bank has predicted that there will be no food shortage in Bangladesh. The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) forecasted that Bangladesh’s agricultural production will increase in the upcoming years.  

According to agriculture scientists, the production of paddy has increased to more than three times, wheat more than double, vegetables five times and corn 10 times after the country’s independence. 

Farmers produce three crops on land which was one to two crops 24 years ago. Currently, Bangladesh is in third position in producing rice, first in jute export once again, first in producing hilsa, third in producing vegetables, third in producing fish of fresh water, fourth in Black Bengal goat production, second in producing goat milk, 8th in producing guava, 9th in producing mango, and 10th in producing potatoes.      

According to the census 2011, the population of the country was 14 crore 40 lakhs 43 thousand 697. In the census 2022, it stood at 13 crore 98 lakh 28 thousand 911. Between 2011-2022 country’s total population increased by 2 crores 57 lakhs 85 thousand 214. Many arable lands have been used for housing and commercial purpose. Despite this, the country’s rice production increased by 15 percent, while wheat was 17.31 percent, corn 188 percent, potato 34.77 percent, jute 5.36 percent, and lentils 26.25 percent.

In the 2011-12 fiscal year, Bangladesh produced 3 crores 68 lakh 39 thousand metric tonnes of grainy food (rice, wheat and corn), 82 lakh metric tonnes of potato and 1 crore 25 lakh 80 thousand metric tonnes of vegetables.

In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the production of grainy food stood at 4 crores 57 lakh 74 thousand while 1 crore 10 lakh 58 thousand metric tonnes of potato and 2 crores 16 lakh 70 thousand metric tonnes of vegetables have been grown in the country. 

Bangladesh was termed a bottomless basket in 1971 by US President Richard Nixon's national security adviser Henry Kissinger hinting at food shortage. That Bangladesh is now exporting agricultural products to 144 countries after meeting local demand.

The country earned $103 crore in 2020-21 and $89 in the 2021-22 fiscal by exporting agricultural products.

People concerned said this achievement has become possible for hardworking farmers, relentless efforts of agriculture scientists, and agriculture-friendly initiatives taken by the government. 

Badal Chandra Biswas, director general of the Department of Agricultural Extension told Bangladesh Pratidin that Bangladesh has brought a miracle in agriculture. Not only rice, but the country, also got tremendous success in vegetable and fruit cultivation.  

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on April 1, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.