Weak Research Links Threaten Bangladesh’s Agri Progress: Experts
Business Desk :
Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in agricultural production over the past few decades, becoming one of the top producers of several key crops and fisheries.
However, weak research coordination and slow adoption of innovation continue to threaten its future progress and food security, experts warns at an event.
Speaking at a program marking World Food Day at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday, agricultural specialists called for stronger research linkages, greater collaboration among institutions, and more investment in climate-smart agriculture.
At the event, they said that Bangladesh now ranks second globally in jute and jackfruit production, third in onion, rice, and inland open-water fish, and fourth in goat meat production.
The country also stands seventh in mango and potato output, twentieth in vegetable production, and first in hilsa production.
However, participants cautioned that these achievements could stall without better coordination between researchers, extension departments, and farmers.
“Weak coordination between research institutions, agricultural extension, and farmers slows the pace of innovation adoption,” the presentation noted, warning that the gap threatens both future productivity and food security.
AHM Saiful Islam, professor of agricultural economics at Bangladesh Agricultural University, underscored the need to strengthen infrastructure and capacity building for both farmers and researchers.
“We need collaborative research planning with adequate funding to advance R&D and promote climate-smart farming,” he said.
“Joint research projects, innovation hubs, and agri-tech incubation centers can accelerate knowledge transfer and problem-solving at the grassroots.”
Islam also called for inclusive innovation dissemination through multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together academia, government agencies, and private actors.
Dia Sanou, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bangladesh, said that food insecurity remains a persistent challenge despite the country’s gains in production.
Citing UN data, he said nearly 23 percent of Bangladeshis faced food insecurity in 2022, and around 16 million people still experienced it in 2024.
“The world produces one and a half times more food than it needs,” Sanou said. “The problem lies not in production, but in distribution and accessibility.”
Valantine Achancho, country director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), echoed the sentiment, adding that climate change, land degradation, and market volatility continue to pressure smallholders, the backbone of Bangladesh’s rural economy.
“Bangladesh has made remarkable progress, but the next phase of growth will depend on how effectively it can strengthen resilience, inclusivity, and climate adaptation,” he said.
Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, secretary of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, raised concerns over declining food safety and environmental degradation caused by chemical-intensive farming.
“Fish no longer thrive in the country’s paddy fields due to excessive fertilizer and pesticide use,” he said. “We must explore organic alternatives to restore ecological balance and ensure food safety.”
Masudul Hasan, secretary of the Ministry of Food, pointed to broader structural issues in food management.
“There is a systemic failure in the economic structure of our food management,” he said, warning that climate change will be the biggest villain in the years ahead. “Even the best policies will fail if climate conditions change dramatically.”
Experts concluded that to sustain its agricultural gains, Bangladesh must bridge the research-extension gap, invest in innovation ecosystems, and adopt a holistic approach that integrates productivity, sustainability, and equity.