Organic Farming in Bangladesh: To Pursue or not to Pursue? An Exploratory Study Based on Consumer Perception

Abstract

The development of organic agriculture in Bangladesh has been slow. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (2018), approximately 12,000 farmers in Bangladesh produce organic crops on around 7,000 hectares of land. The transition from conventional to organic farming has been an issue of debate, especially in the context of developing nations such as Bangladesh. The debate stresses the urgency for the transition to preserve environment and health and to ensure a safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly food production system, but also emphasizes the pressure of maintaining food production for a large growing population. We focus on the debate in the context of Bangladesh, and question whether it is the proper time and stage in the development process to attempt the transition from conventional to organic food production systems. We ask why the organic rice market is not expanding in Bangladesh and explain the slow market growth through the two main factors of income constraint and lack of awareness among people about the environmental and health detriments of non-organic farming. The exploratory study finds that it is not mainly the lack of awareness but the income constraint that can be principally attributed to the slow expansion of the organic rice market in Bangladesh. Through exploring consumers' awareness about organic farming methods and their demand for organic products, this study shows how income as a major constraint, besides price, affects consumers demand for organic and non-organic rice in Bangladesh. Income being identified as the major barrier reveals the potential of the organic rice market to grow in the future, as Bangladesh continues its journey towards becoming a middle-income country.

Organic dairy farming in Bangladesh: current status, challenges and prospects

“…Organic dairy farming is regulated by specific standards and guidelines established by various certifying bodies and government agencies to ensure that dairy products labeled as "organic" meet defined criteria (Schwendel et al, 2015;Murshed and Riaz Uddin, 2020;Grodkowski et al, 2023). In contrast to conventional production methods, organic production systems operate under a set of stringent standards that producers must adhere to.…”

“…Organic dairy farming in Bangladesh has unique characteristics, such as traditional breeding practices, natural feed and forage, waste management, animal health care, and a robust audit trail system to ensure compliance with organic standards. These practices are adapted to the cultural, economic, and environmental conditions in the region, and help to promote natural and sustainable farming methods (Hoque, 2013;Datta et al, 2019;Murshed and Riaz Uddin, 2020).…”

“…Organic farming, being a sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach, prohibits the utilization of synthetic feed supplements, pesticides, or GMOs in the diet of animals (Murshed and Riaz Uddin, 2020;Blair, 2021). However, in Bangladesh, grazing and foraging are prevalent and dependent on natural resources such as water and vegetation.…”

“…However, in Bangladesh, grazing and foraging are prevalent and dependent on natural resources such as water and vegetation. Furthermore, the lack of technical knowledge and information among farmers regarding organic feed production, coupled with the high costs of organic feed, can create difficulties for farmers in providing a nutritious and balanced diet to the animals, leading to negative effects on the health and productivity of the animals, and subsequently compromising the organic authenticity of the products (Datta et al, 2019;Murshed and Riaz Uddin, 2020;Ferdous et al, 2021).…”

“…There is a growing awareness and demand for organic products worldwide, including dairy products. This trend is also noticeable in Bangladesh as people become more health-conscious and environmentally aware (Datta et al, 2019;Murshed and Riaz Uddin, 2020;Ferdous et al, 2021). According to a study by Datta et al (2019), dairy farming is a profitable enterprise in Bangladesh, with an average net return of US$ 58 per cow per month.…”