Experts call for coordinated push to expand cotton cultivation

Experts have called for coordinated policy, research and investment support to expand cotton cultivation in Bangladesh, saying the crop could strengthen climate resilience, raise farmers' incomes and reduce import dependence.

At a national dialogue in Dhaka on Thursday, speakers said Bangladesh imports around 97% of the cotton used by its textile industry at an annual cost of more than $3 billion, despite being the world's second-largest exporter of ready-made garments.

BRAC's Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme organised the "National Dialogue on Cotton: Its Future Opportunities as a Climate-Adaptive Crop" at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, as stated in a press release inviting stakeholders to attend.

The dialogue examined structural barriers to domestic cotton production and measures relating to policy, research, financing, agricultural extension, market development and post-harvest management.

Md Rezaul Amin, executive director (routine duties) of the Cotton Development Board, said cotton cultivation could increase farmers' incomes, support climate adaptation and create employment across the value chain. He said the government was providing incentives to encourage farmers to grow cotton.

He said the government was providing incentives to encourage farmers to grow cotton.

Dr Md Liakath Ali, director of BRAC's Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme and Disaster Risk Management Programme, described cotton as a promising alternative in areas where agricultural production had been affected by climate change. He said expanding cultivation nationwide would require close cooperation among government agencies, private companies, development organisations and other stakeholders.

Expanding cultivation nationwide would require close cooperation among government agencies, private companies, development organisations and other stakeholders, he said.

Dr M Farid Uddin, senior agronomic adviser/consultant at CottonConnect South Asia Private Limited and former executive director of the Cotton Development Board, said cotton was cultivated on around 45,000 hectares in Bangladesh. The country produces an estimated 200,000 bales annually, with each bale weighing 220kg, meeting only about 2% of domestic demand, he said.

The country produces an estimated 200,000 bales annually, with each bale weighing 220kg, meeting only about 2% of domestic demand, he said.

He also described cotton as a carbon-positive crop and said the government had officially declared it an agricultural commodity a year ago.

Participants identified the Barind Tract, coastal saline areas, riverine chars and the Chattogram Hill Tracts as regions with significant potential for cotton cultivation. As a heat- and drought-tolerant crop, cotton requires less water than rice and could support climate adaptation and livelihood diversification, they said.

As a heat- and drought-tolerant crop, cotton requires less water than rice and could support climate adaptation and livelihood diversification, they said.

Participants also suggested replacing tobacco with cotton in selected areas to provide farmers with a more sustainable alternative.

Mitali Chakma, a cotton farmer from Manikchhari in Rangamati, said she had received seeds and training from the Cotton Development Board and had been cultivating the crop for three years.

"There is considerable interest in cotton cultivation among farmers. With the necessary support, cotton cultivation can expand significantly across the Chattogram Hill Tracts," she said.

Speakers said the challenges extended beyond cultivation. Cotton competes with rice, tobacco and high-value winter vegetables for farmland, and harvesting remains largely manual.

Farmers also face difficulties accessing finance, agricultural inputs, extension services, storage and ginning facilities, and reliable markets, they added.

Abu Sadat Moniruzzaman Khan, programme head of BRAC's Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme, delivered the opening remarks.

Other speakers included Dr Abed Chaudhury, independent agro-specialist; Md Kutub Uddin, deputy director (headquarters) of the Cotton Development Board; Md Manirul Islam, additional director (cash crop) of the Department of Agricultural Extension; and Professor Mohammad Kamrul Hasan of the Department of Agroforestry at Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Representatives of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bank Asia, Primark, WeGro and other organisations also attended the dialogue.