High-yield varieties, mechanisation and self-sufficiency driving Bangladesh’s modern agriculture

Since independence, Bangladesh's agricultural system has undergone significant transformation. Farmers have adapted to high-yielding crop varieties, modern irrigation methods, mechanisation, the balanced use of fertilisers and pesticides, and a range of innovative technologies. 

As a result, even though the population has nearly doubled and a half, the country now produces the majority of its grains, fruits, and vegetables domestically. In some cases, agricultural products are even being exported abroad.

Statistics show that in 1974, just after independence, Bangladesh's population was only 75.5 million. At that time, rice production stood at 11.6 million tonnes, while wheat production was 110,000 tonnes. Today, the population exceeds 170 million. In FY2023–24, rice and wheat production reached 40.7 million tonnes and 1.17 million tonnes respectively.

During the same period, the total cultivable land area shrank from 9.39 million hectares after independence to 8.1 million hectares now. Despite this significant decline in arable land and a nearly two-and-a-half-fold increase in population, grain production (rice and wheat) has increased almost fourfold.

Experts attribute this growth to the development of new crop varieties, which have boosted productivity and shortened cultivation cycles. Some fields now produce three to four crops annually. As a result, agricultural output has risen even with declining farmland and a growing population.

Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan stated, "Right after independence, Bangladesh's agriculture was plagued by scarcity. Over the past 54 years, especially in rice, fruits, vegetables, and other crops, production has risen remarkably. Bangladesh is now nearly self-sufficient in rice, vegetables, and potatoes. 

Since 2000, maize cultivation has also grown substantially. Each year, rice production rises by 3%, and vegetable and potato production by 5%. Today, agricultural extension work at the field level is robust—something we didn't have right after independence. Research institutions also became far more active later on, supported by subsidies and government focus, which has driven the sector forward."

High-yielding varieties: The key driver of growth

After independence, rice productivity was only 1 tonne per hectare. Today, it has exceeded 4.5 tonnes per hectare. Similar improvements are seen in maize, vegetables, fruits, and other crops. Institutions such as BRRI, BARI, BINA, and several agricultural universities have played vital roles in this progress.

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has so far developed 121 rice varieties, including 113 inbred and 8 hybrid varieties. Similarly, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has introduced 673 high-yielding varieties of vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, and other crops.

In addition to government agencies, private companies have also significantly contributed to seed quality improvement, productivity enhancement, and shorter cultivation cycles, reshaping the production system.

One of the biggest hurdles for Bangladeshi agriculture remains natural disasters. The country frequently faces floods, heavy and erratic rainfall, droughts, cyclones, heatwaves, cold waves, and salinity intrusion. However, the development of climate-resilient varieties—such as salt- and flood-tolerant crops—has helped reduce losses. In coastal regions, salt-tolerant rice and vegetables are now widely cultivated.

"Research-driven varieties and technologies have brought revolutionary changes to agriculture," said Jahangir Alam Khan. "Large-scale farming is becoming more common. Though natural disasters remain a major obstacle, innovative varieties are helping mitigate losses."

Agriculture transformed by technology

In earlier days, almost all ploughing was done using oxen, and most agricultural work, from harvesting to threshing, was manual. Today, around 95% of land preparation uses tractors, and about 15% of rice harvesting and threshing is done with combine harvesters. The use of power tillers, rice transplanters, and other machines is steadily increasing. Mechanisation has reduced both time and labour while boosting yields.

To promote technology adoption, the government provided subsidies—50% in flatlands and up to 70% in haor (wetland) areas. This accelerated the use of machinery, reducing costs and labour needs. Moreover, most cultivable land is now under irrigation.

Self-sufficiency in fish, meat, and eggs

Over the past 15 years, meat production in Bangladesh has increased eightfold. Egg production has risen more than fourfold, and milk production has increased nearly sixfold. Fish production has almost doubled. Although there is still a slight deficit in milk relative to global standards, Bangladesh is self-sufficient in meat, eggs, and fish.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the annual demand for meat is 7.792 million tonnes, while production now stands at 8.954 million tonnes. Against a demand of 18.5 billion eggs, production is at 24.4 billion. Milk production is 7.792 million tonnes, compared to a demand of 16.2 million tonnes. Fish production is nearly five million tonnes.

Jahangir Alam Khan noted, "We are now self-sufficient in meat and eggs. Previously, cattle were imported, but now we meet all demand locally. Milk production is growing by 11% annually, and at this pace, we will soon meet full demand. Fish production has also risen by an average of 4% annually since 2000, though production costs remain high. We must reduce costs by improving productivity and modernising production methods."

Tackling post-harvest loss and supply chain gaps

Khan emphasised two major challenges: post-harvest losses and supply chain inefficiencies. "Post-harvest losses account for 25–30% in vegetables and onions, and about 35% in fruits. These losses are higher in Bangladesh than in many other countries. Reducing them would cut production costs, eliminate import needs, and even enable exports," he said.

He also highlighted supply chain weaknesses: "Despite record boro and aman harvests, rice prices didn't drop. We must improve supply chain efficiency so that both farmers and consumers benefit from higher production."