‘The more I saw farmers succeed, the more passionate I became about agriculture'

After spending 11 years in the United States, I returned to Bangladesh with a purpose. My professional life began in shipping—I owned and operated ships, not just within Bangladesh but across borders. Over time, I also invested in other industries: a spinning mill, chemical manufacturing that produced carbon rods for batteries, and more. Yet, amidst these ventures, I realised something fundamental—Bangladesh's biggest challenge was food security.

Agriculture was not just about food; it was about employment. Back in 1981, around 70% of our population was directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. But when I travelled abroad, I saw a glaring contrast. Supermarkets overseas had fresh, vibrant vegetables, whereas back home, our vegetables often bore insect damage or lacked appeal. This bothered me deeply.

I began talking to a World Food Prize laureate about how we could improve vegetable production in Bangladesh. After meeting him multiple times, in 1995 we partnered to establish the first vegetable R&D centre in Joydebpur. From the outset, we saw success—we were able to significantly improve the quality of almost every vegetable we worked on, and this work continues to this day.

Later, we expanded into R&D on rice and have since shifted our focus to climate-resilient crops. Today, Bangladesh faces three major agricultural challenges: devastating floods, sudden heat spikes that drive temperatures up to 36–38°C, and increasing salinity as rising sea levels push saltwater further inland.

To address these, we established an R&D station in Rampal to develop saline- and heat-resistant varieties suited for southern Bangladesh. The more I saw our work succeeding—farmers reporting higher yields, healthier crops and better incomes—the more passionate I became. I visited farms nationwide, spoke with farmers directly, and their stories of improved livelihoods strengthened my resolve to focus entirely on agriculture.

Building trust in seeds: Balancing farmers, consumers, and national needs

In seed development, trust is crucial, particularly for farmers with limited incomes who take a risk when adopting certified seeds. At Multimode, we approach this challenge by focusing on three key priorities: ensuring that farmers see higher yields per acre, developing produce that appeals to consumers, and addressing national needs by creating varieties that can be stored longer and reduce import dependency.

Take onions as an example. Bangladeshi consumers prefer pungent onions—the more pungent, the better. But onions also have poor storability; most varieties spoil after 2–3 months. This leaves farmers unable to hold their harvest for better prices and makes the nation import-dependent for the rest of the year. We developed a variety that stores for over a year, which helps stabilise supply and pricing.

Unlike countries like India or Nepal with diverse terrains, Bangladesh's flat lands mean we can only cultivate onions in winter. Summer onions exist but have lower productivity and face challenges with rainfall and land availability. So our breeding focuses on striking the right balance: farmer profitability, consumer taste, and long-term national benefits.

Livestock, feed and why buffalo is the future

In livestock, I've prioritised dairy over meat because milk remains a critical import dependency. Feed quality is central to dairy productivity. Unlike in Australia or the US, we don't have grazing land. Our cattle can't roam free, so feed must be supplemented with concentrates. Maize is vital here. 

In just a few years, maize production has surged from 3 million tonnes to over 6 million tonnes, but it now competes with rice for land as their planting and harvesting seasons overlap.

Even grass for fodder is constrained. When cattle eat green rice straw, it's nutritious. But once dried, nutrition declines, forcing supplementation with molasses for sugar and proteins. Despite these constraints, milk productivity is rising rapidly due to improved cattle breeds and feeding practices.
This is why I believe buffaloes are the future of Bangladesh. Their milk contains over 8% fat, compared to just 4.1% in cow's milk, making it ideal for producing ghee, butter, and cheese—products that are increasingly in demand as our middle class grows. Buffaloes also digest food 27–30% more efficiently than cows and are calm and docile animals, which makes them easier for women to rear. 

Moreover, their meat contains no fat, as all of it is converted into milk, and global demand for buffalo meat is strong, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Indonesia preferring it. In fact, India exported over $8 billion worth of buffalo meat last year alone.
Neighbouring countries are already ahead: India gets 71% of its milk from buffalo, Pakistan 68%, Nepal 48%. Bangladesh lags behind at barely 2–3%. If we are serious about milk self-sufficiency and meat exports, buffalo is our answer.
We're even conducting genome sequencing of buffaloes with Chinese biotech partners to improve meat fibre quality (thinner fibres) and address the salty taste linked to saline drinking water in coastal regions.
Regulatory barriers and R&D neglect
Our policies are outdated. Take cattle breeding: only Holstein Friesians are allowed for dairy, but other superior breeds like Jersey (for milk) and Brahman (for meat) are banned—despite Brahmans originating here before being improved abroad. There's no logical explanation; it's simply old policy left unchallenged.
We also invest little in R&D. Developed countries spend 2–3% of GDP on research; Bangladesh spends virtually nothing. The private sector is discouraged too—there are no tax incentives or benefits for agricultural R&D. This stifles innovation in both plant and animal breeding.

Smallholders and rural development
Commercial-scale farming is unrealistic in Bangladesh due to land scarcity—146,000 sq km for 180 million people. Our model must remain smallholder-based. A family with half an acre can cultivate vegetables, grow rice seasonally, and rear a few cattle for milk or meat. Women can manage livestock, men can tend crops, and even children can help. This is our reality and our strength.
Our policies must reflect this. Instead of imitating large-scale Western farms, we must focus on smallholder productivity with better seeds, improved feed, and appropriate technology. Rural development must be rooted in empowering these small farms—they are our backbone.

Engaging youth and universities
Nearly 46% of our working-age population is already in agriculture. With limited urban job opportunities, many young people could build better futures in agriculture—if given the tools. Start-ups like AgriVenture, which crowd-finance farmers, are promising signs. With technology and improved training, agri-entrepreneurship can thrive.
Private universities must also step up. We lack dedicated agricultural research teams. At Multimode, we've partnered with BAU, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Khulna University, and others to provide training and collaborate on research. But these initiatives remain small-scale. Stronger academia-industry links are essential if we want to build an innovation-driven agricultural sector.

A vision for the future
Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh, underpinning our food security, employment, and rural development. To unlock its full potential, we must invest seriously in R&D, reform outdated policies that hold back innovation, and champion smallholder-focused, technology-driven farming. It is equally important to inspire young people to join this sector, strengthen collaboration between universities and industry, and position buffalo dairy and meat as vital components of our agricultural strategy.
There are both immense challenges and extraordinary opportunities. Over time, as I have seen farmers boost their incomes, adopt improved practices, and uplift their families, my conviction has only deepened: the future of Bangladesh lies in a modern, smallholder-driven agricultural model that empowers rural communities and secures our nation's prosperity.

This interview was conducted by TBS' Head of Special Supplements Tanveer Mohiuddin.