Contemporary Challenges in Agriculture and Way Forward

Over the past five and a half decades since independence, Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable transformation in agriculture. A country of 75 million people now feeds more than 175 million, despite having less cultivable land than before. Yet, behind this success lie growing challenges that could undermine hard-won progress if left unaddressed. The government has made considerable efforts to support the sector, but the scale and complexity of emerging problems demand more strategic and timely action.
Agriculture’s contribution to GDP has fallen from around 38% to 11.2%. Yet its importance to livelihoods and food security remains immense. Nearly 45% of the country’s workforce depends on agriculture, and farming remains the primary source of income for more than 70% of rural households. Despite its shrinking share of the economy, agriculture continues to underpin rural stability and influence food prices. In the 2026-27 budget of Tk 9.38 trillion, the Ministry of Agriculture received Tk 288.8 billion, with the development allocation rising to Tk 79.45 billion. This is encouraging, but the real test will be how effectively these resources reach farmers. 
Let us discuss some burning issues of agriculture and their way forward.  One of the most serious structural weaknesses in Bangladesh’s agriculture is its dependence on imported inputs, particularly fertilisers, seeds and pesticides.
According to agricultural estimates, the annual demand for major chemical fertilisers ranges from approximately 5.9 million to 7 million tonnes. For FY2026-27, projected demand includes 2.62 million tonnes of urea, 1.52 million tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), 765,000 tonnes of Triple Superphosphate (TSP) and 1.001 million tonnes of Muriate of Potash (MOP). Around 80% of the country’s fertiliser requirements must be met through imports. Consequently, disruptions in international markets, rising prices or supply shortages quickly translate into higher production costs and uncertainty for farmers.
Seed security is another challenge. While Bangladesh produces much of its rice and potato seed, it remains reliant on imports for other crops, importing about 32,385 tonnes in FY2024–25. Imports meet 75-80% of annual jute seed needs and 90-95% of maize seed needs; vegetable, oilseed and pulse seeds are also largely imported. Strengthening domestic research, breeding and private investment is essential. Targeted incentives can help public institutions and local companies develop high-quality, climate-resilient varieties and supply them affordably and on time.
Pesticides are another area of vulnerability. Approximately 95% of Bangladesh’s pesticide market depends on imports, while local production accounts for only about 5%. Expanding domestic manufacturing using imported active ingredients could reduce this dependence and potentially save around Tk 400 billion annually. Such expansion must, however, be accompanied by strict quality control and safeguards for human health and the environment.
Protecting production from fertiliser and fuel shocks should be a priority. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has forecast Boro production at around 20.2 million tonnes, potentially 1.4% below the previous year. However, effective intervention can still limit this impact. Immediate solutions include building strategic fertiliser reserves, diversifying imports, promoting soil-test-based application and guiding farmers on efficient usage to lower costs without cutting yields.
Another alarming concern is ensuring fair prices for farmers. Production costs are rising, but the prices they receive are not keeping pace. Compounding this, the 2026-27 budget has reduced direct cash subsidies by 1.4% for the first time. While subsidy restructuring may be necessary, it must not harm small and marginal farmers. The government must set procurement prices that reflect actual costs, prioritise purchasing directly from genuine farmers to eliminate middleman exploitation and utilise digital farmer registration to accurately target financial aid. 
Climate change is an immediate threat to agriculture. Coastal salinity, flash floods in the haor wetlands, upstream surges and waterlogging increasingly threaten production. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that about one million agricultural households, roughly five million people, may need emergency assistance from June to November 2026, 200,000 more households than estimated for September 2025. About 57% of farmers farm less than 1 hectare, and 60% are in the lowest wealth group. Vulnerability is especially high in Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur.
These figures highlight an uncomfortable reality: climate-related losses fall disproportionately on the smallest and most vulnerable farmers. Expanding salt-, drought- and flood-tolerant varieties, strengthening early-warning systems, introducing accessible crop insurance and improving access to mechanical harvesting in haor and flood-prone areas must therefore become policy priorities.
Reducing post-harvest losses is a critical issue as Bangladesh loses around US$2.4 billion annually due to deficiencies in storage and transport infrastructure. Investments in cold storage, modern warehouses, cold-chain facilities and agro-processing industries could protect farmers’ incomes, reduce waste and stabilise consumer prices. Preserving existing crops is just as vital as increasing production.
In densely populated Bangladesh, expanding farmland is difficult. Future gains must come from closing yield gaps, increasing value from existing land and diversifying production. Food security requires more than calories: alongside rice, greater emphasis on vegetables, fruits, pulses, oilseeds, fisheries and livestock can provide vulnerable households with affordable, nutritious diets. Modernisation must also protect natural resources and limit environmental harm, supported by international climate finance and technology transfer.
The way forward is clear. Bangladesh must strengthen domestic capacity for agricultural inputs, ensure fair prices through effective procurement and markets, reduce climate risks through resilient technologies and crop insurance, invest in storage and processing, and modernise agricultural extension services so that research reaches farmers in practical, usable forms.
Bangladeshi farmers have repeatedly demonstrated what they can achieve when appropriate technologies and timely support are available. The responsibility now rests with policymakers. Increasing budget allocations alone is not enough; resources must reach the right farmers, at the right time and through effective delivery systems. Protecting agriculture means more than safeguarding a single economic sector. It means protecting national stability, rural livelihoods and the nutritional well-being of future generations.
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The writer is a Senior Communication Officer at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected]