Constraints to Agricultural Production and Marketing in the Lagging Regions of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study analyzes the constraints affecting agricultural production in the lagging regions of Bangladesh. These regions are lagging in agricultural productivity due to natural phenomena and past government policies. Ten lagging regions, covering eight administrative divisions, were selected for analysis based on crop productivity indicators, percentage of the population in extreme poverty, and agroecological zones. Data were collected from 1257 farm holders using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were mostly older, illiterate males with low levels of education. Production constraints included inadequate supplies of fertilizer and pesticides in local markets. Labor accounted for the highest proportion of agriculture expenditures (51.3%), followed by equipment rental (11.8%), then pesticides (9.3%), and irrigation (8.2%). Only 35.4% of respondents availed credit to purchase agricultural inputs; among them, 85.4% borrowed from formal sources. Lack of proper irrigation facilities, production machinery, and access to institutional credit, difficulties procuring inputs and storing products, and negative impacts of climate were identified as the major constraints to agricultural productivity and marketing in the lagging regions. Access to credit and being adversely affected by weather impacted respondents’ agricultural productivity more than sociodemographic factors.

Factors contributing to farm-level productivity and household income generation in coastal Bangladesh’s rice-based farming systems

“…In 2005, the government of Bangladesh subsidized imported NPK fertilizers for the first time since 1996 [48,49]. Although subsidies remain to this day, retail prices remain high for rural farmers due to limited dry season cropping and the remoteness of parts of the study area [14].…”

“…Moreover, in order to support agricultural development in southern Bangladesh, a policy calling for international donor investment of over USD 7 billion was proposed by the government of Bangladesh for coastal development [38]. Yet despite these policy changes, aid investments and also crop productivity in southern Bangladesh remain the lowest in the country [14].…”

“…Bangladesh is a country in South Asia with extremely high rural population density (~1000 people km -2 ) and pressing development concerns, particularly in coastal areas due to risks of sea-level rise and severe tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal [13]. The majority of coastal agriculture consists of smallholder, low input, rainfed, rice-based systems characterized by low productivity, high labor requirements, small landholdings with increasing fragmentation, frequent flooding during monsoon season, irrigation water limitation, and salinity during rabi season, which threatens crop productivity and limits farmers' options for growing crops other than rice [14][15][16][17]. Previous research has shown that important factors influencing food security include inundation land type, crop management practices, flooding, cyclones, soil salinity, irrigation access, household income, household size, and access to markets [4,18,19].…”

“…The goals of smallholders in this region are generally to reduce risks, generate income, and achieve food security. However, they face numerous constraints related to labor availability, access to inputs, poor infrastructure, access to credit and extension services, socioeconomic instability, and low soil fertility levels, among others [14,20]. Farms in remote locations tend to lack adequate access to roads and transportation; this increases transaction costs and hampers agricultural and economic growth [21,22].…”

“…While efficient use of fertilizers, pesticides, and human labor can increase yields [23,24], many inputs may not be readily available in markets. In addition, rural agricultural labor availability is decreasing, with workers and youth increasingly interested in non-agricultural professions providing greater income [14]. Many smallholders also lack regular access to quality extension services [25].…”