Agriculture of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a primarily agrarian economy. Agriculture  is the single largest producing sector of the economy since it comprises about 18.6% (data released on November, 2010) of the country's GDP and employs around 45% of the total labor force. The performance of this sector has an overwhelming impact on major macroeconomic objectives like employment  generation, poverty alleviation, human resources development and food security. A plurality of Bangladeshis earn their living from agriculture. Although rice and jute are the primary crops, wheat is assuming greater importance. Tea is grown in the northeast. Because of Bangladesh's fertile soil and normally ample water supply, rice can be grown and harvested three times a year in many areas. Due to a number of factors, Bangladesh's labor-intensive agriculture has achieved steady increases in food grain production despite the often unfavorable weather conditions. These include better flood control and irrigation, a generally more efficient use of fertilizers, and the establishment of better distribution and rural credit networks. With 35.8 million metric tons produced in 2000, rice is Bangladesh's principal crop. National sales of the classes of insecticide used on rice, including granular carbofuran, synthetic pyrethroids, and malathion exceeded 13,000 tons of formulated product in 2003. The insecticides not only represent an environmental threat, but are a significant expenditure to poor rice farmers. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is working with various NGOs and international organizations to reduce insecticide use in rice. In comparison to rice, wheat output in 1999 was 1.9 million metric tons. Population pressure continues to place a severe burden on productive capacity, creating a food deficit, especially of wheat. Foreign assistance and commercial imports fill the gap. Underemployment remains a serious problem, and a growing concern for Bangladesh's agricultural sector will be its ability to absorb additional manpower. Finding alternative sources of employment will continue to be a daunting problem for future governments, particularly with the increasing numbers of landless peasants who already account for about half the rural labor force.

The Ministry of Agriculture  is working to develop the agricultural sector of Bangladesh through numerous projects and agencies. This ministry addresses to the highest number of stakeholder in the country. The business scope ranges from crop development to agro-based industries with research on agriculture, agricultural engineering and agro-economics. The economy of Bangladesh is predominantly agricultural. Since the birth of Bangladesh, the country has achieved an incredible growth in food production and reached towards self-sufficiency by the year 1990. About 80 percent of the total population lives in rural areas, and 62 percent of them are directly, and others are indirectly engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities. The agricultural sector contributes around 29 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates employment for 63 percent of the total labor force. The general agricultural sectors are Rice crops, Jute, Cotton, Sugarcane, Flower, Sericulture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Vegetables, Livestock, Soil Development, Seed development and distribution. Nuclear Agriculture has brought a new dynamic change in the agricultural sectors of Bangladesh. This grand success has mainly been brought by the farmers through using modern technologies developed by research organizations and effective Agricultural Extension Services of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) . BADC is entrusted with the task of multiplication, production and supply of high-yielding varieties of seeds. It has 21 Seed Multiplication Farms and 15 Contract Growers Zones for this purpose. Later, Seeds are mechanically processed in 12 Seed Processing Centers in and around the seed production zones. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) under the Ministry of Agriculture is involved cooperative activities in several ministries of government: Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Fisheries and Livestock, Rural Development, Education, Industries, Commerce, Science and Technology, etc. Realizing the importance of rice in food security and political stability of the country, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) is working to feed the increasing population through radical change in rice production, replacement of the low-yielding traditional varieties and age old production practices of rice by high-yielding varieties and improved production technologies. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is involved for the same issue. BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) is the largest multi-crop research institute conducting research on a large number of crops, such as cereals, tubers, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, spices, flowers, etc. Besides variety development, this institute also carries out research on non-commodity areas, such as soil and crop management, disease and insect management, irrigation and water management, development of farm machinery, improvement of cropping and farming system management, post-harvest handling and processing, and socio-economics studies related to production, marketing, and consumption.
Using radiation technique, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has already developed 37 improved mutant varieties of different crops have been released by the National Seed Board of Bangladesh for large-scale cultivation in the farmers' field. The part of greater Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangpur and Bogra District of Bangladesh and the Indian territorial Maldah District of West Bengal is geographically identified as Barind Tract where the soil is hard and red, and difficult for cultivation. Barind Multipurpose Development Authority works under the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) for the agricultural development of those areas. Cotton Development Board (CDB) has established under the Ministry of Agriculture to introduce and promote cotton cultivation in Bangladesh. Seed Certification Agency has been performing its role for full seed certification of four notified crops, (Rice, Wheat, Jute and Potato). Soil Resource Development Institute has established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, which is responsible for detailed and semi-detailed soil survey, special survey of irrigation projects, explanatory soil guide and manual to ensure rational use of soil resource in the country. Among the other agencies, the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh has undertaken an e-government initiative that would utilize the power of ICT to develop and disseminate critical Agricultural Market Information to farmers, traders, government, policy makers, development agencies and other stakeholders. Agriculture Information Service (AIS) have been working under the Ministry of Agriculture since its establishment in 1961. AIS have been playing a significant role in the agriculture sector providing mass media support through radio, television, documentary film and print media specially poster, folder, leaflet, booklet, newsletter, magazine, banner, festoon and so on.
Bangladesh Applied Nutrition and Human Resource Development Board (BAN-HRDB) aims at developing human resources of various government and non-governmental organizations in food based nutrition through short training courses, advocacy meetings, symposium, workshops and mass media.

Food Crops

Although rice and jute are the primary crops, maize and vegetables are assuming greater importance.  Due to the expansion of irrigation networks, some wheat producers have switched to cultivation of maize which is used mostly as poultry feed. Tea is grown in the northeast. Because of Bangladesh's fertile soil and normally ample water supply, rice can be grown and harvested three times a year in many areas. Due to a number of factors, Bangladesh's labor-intensive agriculture has achieved steady increases in food grain production despite the often unfavorable weather conditions. These include better flood control and irrigation, a generally more efficient use of fertilizers, and the establishment of better distribution and rural credit networks.  With 28.8 million metric tons produced in 2005-2006 (July–June), rice is Bangladesh's principal crop. By comparison, wheat output in 2005-2006 was 9 million metric tons. Population pressure continues to place a severe burden on productive capacity, creating a food deficit, especially of wheat. Foreign assistance and commercial imports fill the gap. Underemployment remains a serious problem, and a growing concern for Bangladesh's agricultural sector will be its ability to absorb additional manpower. Bangladesh is the fourth largest rice producing country in the world. National sales of the classes of insecticide used on rice, including granular carbofuran, synthetic pyrethroids, and malathion exceeded 13,000 tons of formulated product in 2003. The insecticides not only represent an environmental threat, but are a significant expenditure to poor rice farmers. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is working with various NGOs and international organizations to reduce insecticide use in rice. Wheat is not a traditional crop in Bangladesh, and in the late 1980s little was consumed in rural areas. During the 1960s and early 1970s, however, it was the only commodity for which local consumption increased because external food aid was most often provided in the form of wheat. In the first half of the 1980s, domestic wheat production rose to more than 1 million tons per year but was still only 7 to 9 percent of total food grain production. Record production of nearly 1.5 million tons was achieved in FY 1985, but the following year saw a decrease to just over 1 million tons. About half the wheat is grown on irrigated land. The proportion of land devoted to wheat remained essentially unchanged between 1980 and 1986, at a little less than 6 percent of total planted area. Wheat also accounts for the great bulk of imported food grains, exceeding 1 million tons annually and going higher than 1.8 million tons in FY 1984, FY 1985, and FY 1987. The great bulk of the imported wheat is financed under aid programs of the United States, the European Economic Community, and the World Food Programme. Food grains are cultivated primarily for subsistence. Only a small percentage of total production makes its way into commercial channels. Other Bangladeshi food crops, however, are grown chiefly for the domestic market. They include potatoes and sweet potatoes, with a combined record production of 1.9 million tons in FY 1984; oilseeds, with an annual average production of 250,000 tons; and fruits such as bananas, jackfruit, mangoes, and pineapples. Estimates of sugarcane production put annual production at more than 7 million tons per year, most of it processed into a coarse, unrefined sugar known as gur, and sold domestically.

High tech agriculture in Bangladesh

In 2012 the boro rice production reached such a high point that policy makers are contemplating export in limited quantity. This leap in production has been possible due to application of advanced technologies for various operations. The first breakthrough in rice production was in early 1960s when high yielding varieties (HYV) of rice was introduced during the boro season. Mechanized irrigation in the form of low lift pump, deep tube-well and shallow tube-well along with chemical fertilizers and pesticides that played a key role in increased production. In the 20th century, the mechanization of farming is considered one of the top ten engineering accomplishments. In this regard, Bangladesh is no exception. Today's self-sufficiency in rice production could not be achieved without farm mechanization of some of the important operations. Irrigation was the first operation that was mechanized. For threshing rice, Japanese type pedal threshers and for weeding in wet-land weeders were introduced to a limited scale. Tillage was the next operation that was mechanized. The present cropping intensity of 181 per cent could not have been achieved without mechanization of tillage operation. At present about 85 per cent of land preparation is done mainly by power tillers and to some extent by tractors. As pedal thresher proved inadequate to thresh bulk production of rice, power thresher has been developed and it is estimated that more than 60 thousand are in use in the country. Entire maize shelling is done by power corn sheller. Though the percentage of agricultural labourers has come down to 50 per cent from 90 per cent the total number of agricultural labourers now engaged in in farming has more than doubled in comparison to what it was in 1950s. Yet labour shortage becomes acute during sowing/planting and harvesting time. These two operations need immediate mechanization. Wage of agricultural labourer is so high that use of imported rice transplanter, reaper and combine harvester became cost effective and farmers are using those in limited areas. It is expected that these two operations would be mechanized shortly throughout the country. Tissue culture for seedling multiplication and other biotechnological innovations contributed greatly in modern agriculture. Hybrid seeds of rice, maize, vegetables and other crops also have a great contribution to overall agriculture production. Many seasonal vegetables can now be grown all the year round. Development of protected agriculture in Bangladesh made it possible to produce tomato during the rainy season. Growing high value vegetables and flower in hydroponics have been demonstrated and waiting for commercial production. If all the modern high techs in agriculture that are available in Bangladesh are adopted judiciously, it is expected that in spite of 1.36 per cent population growth and one per cent reduction of cultivable land every year, farmers, agricultural scientists and extension personnel will be able to feed the growing population.

 The agricultural sector plays a very significant role in the Bangladesh economy as well socially and culturally. The Sixth Five Year Plan emphasizes agriculture and rural development as key sector for poverty reduction and pro-poor economic growth. Denmark and Bangladesh have a long history of bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector (crops, fishery and livestock). Denmark's strategy to support the agricultural sector in Bangladesh includes a strong poverty reduction focus, together with special emphasis on poorer women, nutrition, marketing and environment. Danish financed projects support technology generation and delivery of essential services nearer to the farmers' door steps. Denmark's support to agricultural development in Bangladesh has consistently been channelled through Government of Bangladesh. This approach has been advantageous since these interventions have been well anchored at national level and have significant impact on the Government of Bangladesh policies and strategies. Denmark also aims at harmonising its development assistance with other donor funded programmes in the same sector and geographical areas. Danish support to the agriculture sector started in 1989. In 2000, the Governments of Denmark and Bangladesh launched a sector programme support for agriculture i.e. Agriculture Sector Programme Support Phase I (ASPS I). ASPS Phase I was completed in September 2006. Agriculture Sector Programme Phase II (ASPS II) started in October 2006 and will be completed in July 2013. The concept of Integrated Crop Management is promoted through Farmers' Field School. An independent evaluation commissioned by Danida's Evaluation Department last year concluded that:

* Increases in micro-level growth and self-employment at the household level due to FFS interventions have been considerable.
* There is a highly significant impact from FFS on household nutrition and food security.
* The impact from FFS on household income is highly significant.
* FFS as applied through the Programme has demonstrated to be a very efficient development investment. It shows a pay-back time of less than a year from the investment.
* The successful 'FFS women' have become role-models for other farmers in their neighbourhood and for their children and that FFS have been a major boost to women's self-confidence.
At the end of ASPS II Danish support to the agriculture sector (ASPS I and ASPS II) will achieve following results:
* Around 2.2 million farm families trained on improved crop management, aquaculture and livestock technology;
* Around 715 kilometres of rural roads constructed and 5.6 million labour-days generated to the benefit of 33,000 rural poor women. Denmark will support the Agricultural Growth and Employment Programme (AGEP) at the end of the current agricultural programme in July 2013. The duration of the AGEP will be from mid-2013 to mid-2018 and the total Danish contribution to the programme will be DKK 330 million, equivalent to around USD 65 million. AGEP will be in line with the priorities of the Government of Bangladesh as set out in the Sixth Five Year Plan. The Sixth Five Year Plan identified the following priority areas for the agriculture sector:

* Decentralised and integrated farming systems based approach to extension system;
* Diversification in agricultural production;
* Formation of growers organizations to ensure fair price;
* Business development initiatives in agriculture especially capacity development of extension personnel;

The AGEP will focus on agricultural production as well as on agro-processing and agro-business development. AGEP will have two components: Integrated Farm Management Component (IFMC) and Agro-business Development Component (ABDC). The IFMC will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture. The IFMC will promote the concept of Integrated Farm Management through Farmers' Field School. The ABDC will support a third phase of the multi donor basket fund Katalyst. ABCD will use the M4P ('Making Markets Work for the Poor') approach as the basic implementation modality.

Agricultural Products

• Agriculture Seed
• Agro Products
• Fruits
• Mushroom & Truffle
• Dry Fruits & Nuts
• Vegetables
• Aquaculture
• Agricultural Fibers
• Tea & Coffee
• Food Grains
• Livestock

 Agricultural Products & Services

>	Agro Products
>	Animal Feeds
>	Aqua Culture & Fish Farming
>	Central Air Conditioning System
>	Dairy & Fish Products Field
>	Fertilizer Distributor
>	Fertilizer Manufacturers
>	Fish & Frog Legs Exporters
>	Fishery
>	Fishing Net, Twine & Equipments
>	Frozen Fish & Food Exporters
>	Fruits, Vegetables & Food Processing
>	Hatchery
>	Marine Fisheries
>	Medicine Poultry & Dairy
>	Milk Powder Manufacturers
>	Milk Products
>	Pest Control
>	Potato Starch [Food-grade starch]
>	Poultry Feeds
>	Poultry Firm
>	Sea Food Buying Agent
>	Sea Food Exporters
>	Seed Stores
>	Tobacco & Tobacco Products
>	Vanaspati Ghee Industries
>	Vegetable Oil

 

Ministry of Agriculture

Introduction

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is one of the key ministries of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. It is housed on the 4th and 5th floors of the rear building of Bangladesh Secretariat. It comprises seven wings with responsibilities of policy formulation, planning, monitoring and administration. Eighteen agencies operate under this ministry which are responsible for implementation of different projects and plans of MOA. The MOA is led by a Minister and a State Minister, who are supported by a Secretary, two Additional Secretaries, seven Joint Secretaries, a Joint Chief and a number of Deputy Secretaries/Chiefs, Sr. Assistant Secretaries/Chiefs and Assistant Secretaries/Chiefs (ref. MOA Organogram).

Allocation of Business

• Develop agricultural policies, plans, regulations, acts, etc. for sustainable agricultural development and for food sufficiency;
• Provide support in developing new agricultural technologies to boost up agricultural production and coordinate with local and international trade agencies for marketing;
• Monitor implementation of agricultural polices, plans, projects, programmes and regulations;
• Monitor distribution of agricultural inputs and subsidies and marketing of the agricultural products in local and international markets;
• Develop capacity of the professionals and other team players with the recent development in the agricultural sector in the world;
• Provide administrative and policy support to MOA agencies for planning and implementation of the development programmes/projects and coordinate with donors and development partners for funding and technical assistance;

MOA Wings

Administration and Input Wing

Syed Mustafizur Rahman, Additional Secretary
Tel: 9540015 (Office), 9339132 (Res.), 01727-312320(Mob.), addsecyai@moa.gov.bd (E-Mail), 7163799 (Fax)

The Administration and Input Wing is responsible for personnel management of the Ministry of Agriculture, Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), and Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). It deals with financial management of revenue and development budgets of BADC and BMDA and human resources development of MOA and its agencies. It also deals with pesticide policy and certification including introduction of new fertilizer and monitoring fertilizer market in the country. This wing maintains Market Monitoring Information System (MMIS) that reports weeklyand monthly on the stocks and prices of various fertilizers.

This wing coordinates the functions of the Financial Management Unit (FMU) of the Financial Management and Reform Programme (FMRP), which deals with budget and expenditure of the development projects. These information are collected from the Projects, Planning Wing, Ministry of Finance, CGA etc. This type of information is compiled to provide a timely picture of financial progress of the ministry. This information is submitted to the Budget and Monitoring Committee and high officials of MOA. These reports reflect component wise physical progress of the projects, detail implementation status of the developments programmes, road map and fund disbursement to the projects and agencies.

Policy Planning and Coordination Wing

Md. Abdul Hamid, Additional Secretary
Tel: 7169658 (Office), 8144454 (Res.), 01713-063152 (Mob.), addsecppc@moa.gov.bd, hamid.hd55@yahoo.com (E-Mail)

This wing deals with policy monitoring and coordination with the donor and international agencies. The wing comprises two sections- (1) Foreign Assistance, and (2) Policy Planning. The Foreign Assistance section organises international seminars, symposia and coordination meeting with donors and international organizations and observance of international days like World Food Day, International Rice Day, etc. The Policy Planning section is responsible for promoting and developing various policies, treaties and MoUs. It is also responsible for reporting on agricultural production and marketing. To obtain this information, the Policy and Coordination Wing works closely with DAE, CDB, BADC, MMIS, BBS and many other ministries such as, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Commerce, Food Planning and Monitoring Commission (FPMC) and donor agencies. It deals with WTO, domestic and international trade, and credit related policy for agricultural products. It monitors implementation of the agricultural acts and policies and maintains data on food import, stock and prices. It also deals with food safety and nutrition-related matters.

Extension Wing

Md.Jahir Uddin Ahmed (NDC), Additional Secretary
Tel: 7169594 (Office), 01552427434, 01714235795 (Mob.), jsexten@moa.gov.bd, zuahmed1959@gmail.com (E-Mail)

• The Extension Wing comprises three units/bracces namely Extension, Extension-2, Extension-3


• DS Extension deals with
1. Administrative and personnel management (recruitment, posting, transfer, training, promotion etc), leave, deputation, permission for higher education and disciplinary action of cadre officers of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
2. Re-organization of organogram and necessary activities relating to recruitment rules of DAE;
3. Necessary correspondence with Ministry of Public Administration, Finance Division, Planning Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Office of the /Prime Minister and other Ministries.


• DS Extension-2 deals with
1. Sanctioning Post Retirement Leave (PRL) and pension of Cadre officers of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), activities relating to Post retention and recruitment of officers in on-going Projects of DAE and activities relating to transfer/creation of post in revenue head from completed projects of DAE;
2. Necessary correspondence with Ministry of Public Administration, Finance Division, Planning Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Office of the Prime Minister and other Ministries.


• DS Extension-3 deals with
1. Administrative and personnel management (recruitment, posting, transfer, training, promotion etc), leave, deputation, permission for higher and pension of cadre officers of Soil Resource Development Institution (SRDI) and cadre officers of DAE posted in Agriculture Information Service (AIS) and Seed Certification Agency (SCA);
2. Re-organization of organogram and necessary activities relating to recruitment rules of SRDI, AIS and SCA;
3. Necessary correspondence with Ministry of Public Administration, Finance Divison, Planning Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Office of the Prime Minister and other Ministries.

Audit Wing
Swapan Kumar Saha, Additional Secretary
Tel: 7163080 (Fax), 7166087 (Office), 01715063678 (Mob.), jsaudit@moa.gov.bd (E-Mail)

The Audit Wing is responsible for monitoring audit objections raised from the Controller General of Audit (CGA). It organizes tripartite meetings with Ministry of Agriculture, concerned agencies and the Controller General of Audit to resolve audit objections and submit reports on unresolved objections to the Public Accounts Committee. It collects information on audit objection and recorded in broadsheet, which are presented afterwards at the monthly audit objection meeting along with relevant documents. It also prepares monthly, quarterly, half yearly reports on resolved, new and unresolved objections and reports on the cases drafted for presentation to the CGA.

Research Wing
Md. Kaikobad, Additional Secretary
Tel: 9540130 (Office), 9668617 (Res.), 01716706662 (Mob.), jsres@moa.gov.bd (E-Mail)

The Research and Development Wing deals with the administrative and the personnel management of the research institutes such as, BARC, BARI, BINA, BANHRDB, CDB, BRRI, BJRI, SRDI and BSRI. It also deals with fund allocation to various projects of these organizations. It mnitors the vacancies, recruitment, promotion, court cases and other administrative matters of those research institutes and performs coordination with other organizations and different Ministries including Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Establishment and Ministry of Law and Parleametary Affairs.

Seed Wing
Anwar Faruque, Additional Secretary, Director General
Tel: 7164624 (Office), 8111224 (Res.), 01711564572 (Mob.), dgseed@moa.gov.bd (E-Mail)

The Seed Wing is the administrative authority of the Seed Certification Agency (SCA). It deals with the personnel management and fund release for the development projects of SCA. It deals with seed dealer registration including enquiry about complain to and disciplinary matters. It is also responsible for developing and amending seed acts, rules and regulations and monitors their implementation. It organizes seminars and workshops for disseminating information on seed technologies and training courses for capacity development of the seed professionals. This wing plays an important role in monitoring seed production, import, distribution and utilization. It is responsible for reporting on testing breeder seed, certified seed, seed market monitoring including an analysis on the demand and supply of seed in Bangladesh.

Planning Wing
Nakib Bin Mahbub, Joint Chief
Tel: 7168161 (Office), jcplan@moa.gov.bd (E-Mail)

The Planning Wing of the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for identifying the appropriate investment areas in the agricultural sector including planning, monitoring and evaluating agricultural development projects implemented by different agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture. This wing also coordinates projects of the other ministries and departments as well as acts as an in-charge of commenting on the projects of NGOs, other ministries and departments for protecting the interest of the agricultural sector in Bangladesh.

The Planning Wing plays a vital role in monitoring physical and financial progress of the development projects and in reporting to the different agencies of the government like, the Ministry of Finance, Planning Commission, External Resources Division, IMED, PM Office, Parliamentary Committee, etc. It is also responsible for reporting on women development in agricultural sector.

The preparation or revision of the Annual Development Programmes(ADP) is another important responsibility of this wing. It prepares list of the projects that would serve financial support from the donors and report on donor wise allocation and utilization to the Planning Commission, ERD, etc. The wing is also responsible for reporting on sector, sub-sector wise allocation, fund release and expenditure at the monthly ADP review meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture.

MOA Agencies

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is the largest public sector extension service provider in Bangladesh. Its mission is providing needs based extension services to all categories of farmers and enabling them to optimize their use of resources, in order to promote sustainable agricultural and socio-economic development. The core functions of DAE include increasing agricultural productivity, human resource development and technology transfer. DAE has contributed significantly to crop production, particularly in rice and wheat and help the country to attain self sufficiency in food. DAE has undergone many changes over recent years associated with the introduction of the Revised Extension Approach (REA).

Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM)
The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) was established in 1983. The objective of DAM is providing improved marketing services to ensure fair returns to the growers for their produce and adequate supply to the consumers at reasonable prices. The main mandates of DAM are:

• To collect market information at farmer level, wholesale and retail prices, market arrivals, movement and stock of farm products and to disseminate price information through ratio, press and news bulletins for information of farmers, traders and consumers;
• To monitor the prices, identify reasons for price fluctuations and suggest corrective measures;
• To organize movement of farm products, especially perishable items, from glut to deficit areas/consuming centers in cooperation with trade and transportation agencies;
• To organize movement and sale of the produce of the farmers of new/concentrated producing areas;
• To enforce the Agricultural Produce Markets Regulation Act, 1964;
• To conduct study/research on marketing of farm products, assess marketing costs and traders margins identify marketing problems and problem area and suggest measures for improvement of marketing conditions and reduction of marketing cost;
• To construct wholesale markets with adequate facilities in important distribution/consuming centers and to introduce improved market practice;
• To provide extension services for improvement of flaying, curing and preservation of hides and skins to maximize foreign exchange earnings; and
• To advise the Government on production targets of different crops, procurement programmes and support price of important crops and in formulating policies on pricing, marketing, storage, distribution, export and import of different farm products of the country.

Agricultural Information Services (AIS)
The Agricultural Information Service (AIS) is the 'institutional memory' of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is entrusted with responsibility of providing mass media support to the agriculture sector in general and transferring agricultural technology from research station to the rural people of Bangladesh in particular. They work with radio, television, printed media and also produce documentary films, posters, folders, leaflets, booklets, newsletters, magazines, banners, festoons and etc. for creating awareness of the farmers on the new technologies, which assists in boosting up agricultural productivity in Bangladesh. Thus AIS is playing an important role in changing the traditional practice of the rural farmers that contributes to improving their livelihood.

Seed Certification Agency (SCA)
The Seed Certification Agency (SCA) is a regulatory agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is responsible to certify and control the quality of all agricultural seeds of the recommended varieties. Since its establishment, SCA has been playing a vital role in quality seed production under an expanding seed industry development programme in the country. SCA is physically located in Gazipur, 40 kilometres away from Dhaka and is connected by all weather bitumen carpeted road. The SCA campus provides a panoramic beauty with its offices, laboratories and residential apartment buildings standing on green fields all around. The present organizational set up of the SCA consists of the Support Services Wing, Field Inspection Wing, Seed Testing Wing and Variety Testing Wing.

Cotton Development Board (CDB)
The Cotton Development Board (CDB) was constituted under the Ministry of Agriculture as per Resolution no-111 cotton -8/72- 393 dated 14th December, 1972. The Resolution was revised through another resolution in 1991. As per revised resolution the activities of CDB include: (1) to organise Farmers' Association / Committees for extension of cotton cultivation and supply of agricultural inputs including quality seed, fertiliser, plant protection materials, irrigation etc., (2) to impart training to the cotton farmers and establish demonstration plots, (3) to encourage ginning system for processing of seed cotton produced by the farmers, (4) to facilitate the marketing of seed cotton at growers level, and (5) to conduct research for continued cotton extension and production programmes. CDB has a HQ in Dhaka, four regional offices in Dhaka, Jessore, Rangpur and Chittagong and five research centres located in different parts of the country. In addition to research, production of breeder seed and foundation seed and training programmes for CDB staff and cotton farmers are also implemented in these centres. 

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC)
The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) created in 1961, spearheaded the revolution in minor irrigation in Bangladesh. Since the middle of 1980s, the Government has been progressively withdrawing its operation from procurement and supply of agricultural inputs. The first to go in the process was pesticide followed by fertiliser and BADC's withdrawal from minor irrigation is all but complete. The only input that BADC partly generates and supplies is certain kinds of seeds. Besides, BADC operates a few farms as well as a few agro-irrigation projects like the Ashuganj Project. Thus the role of BADC has undergone changes over the last decade and consequently gone through structural changes in the sense that its role is presently very limited to seeds and monitoring of minor irrigation. 

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC)
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) is the apex organization of the national agricultural research system (NARS). Its main responsibility is strengthening the national agricultural research capability through planning and integration of resources. It is also entrusted with the task of preparing the vision document and the national agricultural research plan according to the national priorities. This involves cooperative activities in several ministries of government: Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Fisheries and Livestock, Rural Development, Education, Industries, Commerce, Science and Technology, etc. BARC has the responsibility to coordinate research and foster inter-institute collaboration, monitor and review the research program of NARS institutes, assist institutes for strengthening research capacities and to establish system-wide operational policies and standard management procedures and to assure that each institute is optimally governed. 

BARIND Multi Purpose Development Authority (BMDA)

The BARIND Multi Purpose Development Authority (BMDA) was constituted in 1992. The members of the Authority comprises of the (1) Divisional Commissioner, Rajshahi as Chairman, (2) Executive Director as Member, (3) Three members nominated by the Agricultural Minister, (4) One member nominated by the Secretary, MOA, (5) Deputy Inspector General of Police and (6) Deputy Commissioner of the BARIND Project Areas. The members of the Parliament of the concerned areas by virtue of their position will also be the members. The nominated members will hold their position under certain terms and conditions. The scope of activities of the Authority centres around- (a) Augmentation of Surface water and its' use, (b) Development for effective water distribution system, control and maintenance of irrigation equipment and the Area Development Programme, (c) Electrification of irrigation equipment and that of small and cottage industries, (d) Re excavation of ponds for fish culture, (e) Afforestation Programme for maintaining environmental balance, (f) Diversified crop production through production of potato, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds using DTWs, STWs and power pumps. 

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute is the largest multi-crop research institute conducting research on a variety of crops, cropping and farming systems, plant protection, soil fertility management and water management, post-harvest handling and processing, farm implements and socio-economics related to production, processing, marketing and consumption. The Institute functions with three of its major components: a) Research wing consisting of 15 research divisions, 6 crop research centres, 6 regional research stations and 24 research stations and sub-stations, 9 farming system research and development sites (FSRD), 72 multi location testing sites (MLT) located at different agro-ecological zones of the country, b) Support Service wing providing all the logistic supports in research management as well as personnel management and monitoring infrastructural development of the Institute and c) Training and Communication wing offers training to the scientists, extension workers, NGO officials and farmers.

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is a major component of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) of Bangladesh, dealing with research and development in relation to rice production. The institute was established on October 1, 1970 at Joydebpur, 36 km north of the capital city Dhaka. The institute operates with 18 research divisions, 3 support service divisions and 8 sections at Head quarter and 9 regional stations in different Agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh. The total manpower is 676 in which 238 are scientists. About one third of the scientists are highly trained professionals with PhD degree.

The institute is equipped with modern research facilities that includes laboratories, greenhouses and experimental fields. It has a modern germplasm bank, eight major laboratories, three green houses, four net houses and a 45-ha experimental farm at its headquarter at Gazipur. Besides, seven of the nine regional stations also have reasonably good research facilities, particularly at field levels research facilities at the two newly established regional stations in Kushtia and Satkhira are yet to be developed. BRRI so far released 60 rice varieties in which 56 inbreds and 4 hybrids. About 80% of the total rice area is covered by BRRI varieties and accounted around 91% of the total rice production. Bangladesh, a country of food deficit now attained food self-sufficient with the contribution of BRRI. 

Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI)
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) was established in 1951 with an objective of conducting research for improving the jute crops and products. At present, BJRI is working in the following research areas:

• Agricultural Research on Jute and Allied Fibers
• Technological Research on Jute and Allied Fibers
• Economics and Marketing Research
• Jute and Textile Products Development Centre

BJRI has developed many new Jute-based products. Our future plans focus on improvement of the crops and diversification of jute products. 

Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI)

The Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) was established in 1983 with the mandate of collecting soil samples from different parts of the country, storing and interpretation of soil related information and knowledge. Very broadly, SRDI activities are geared to the following outputs: (1) production of Upazila/Thana Land and Soil Resource Utilization Guide, (ii) production of maps, data series and other GIS services for research institutions, and (iii) promotion of soil tests for individual farmers. SRDI has a Headquarter at Dhaka along with four regional institutions and twenty district offices located in various part of the country. In addition, it runs a Salinity Management and Research Centre near Khulna and a Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Centre in Banderban. 

Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI)
The Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) is only institute in the country which is mandated to conduct research and provide sugarcane technology to meet the demand of the farmers in the mill zones and non-mill zones and to keep sugarcane cultivation a viable enterprise for the farmers. The BSRI consists of a Headquarters at Ishurdi including two regional stations, six sub-stations and a quarantine station. At the Headquarters, the activities are organized through 10 research divisions and an Administration, Finance and Support Services Unit. 

Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)
The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) established in 1975 in Mymensingh with mandate of undertaking research using nuclear techniques for development of new varieties of crops, scientific management of land and water, appropriate technologies for improvement of quality and quantity of crops, methodologies for control of diseases, insects-pests, agronomic and soil-plant studies. The research activities of BINA are managing through eight divisions which include: Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Crop Physiology, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering and Training. BINA has made some commendable contributions to the development of crop mutants/varieties through induced mutations. These varieties of crops are: rice, jute, mustard, mungbean, blackgram, chickpea and tomato which have got approval of the National Seed Board of Bangladesh for cultivation in farmers' field. 

Horticulture and Export Foundation

The Horticultural Export Development Foundation, in short, Hortex Foundation, was established in 1993 under the Companies Act of 1913. This is a not for profit organization set up for the development, promotion and marketing of exportable horticultural produces, particularly high- value, non-traditional crops to high-price non-conventional markets. The Hortex Foundation lead by a governing body consisted of seven members representing two from public sector and five from private sector organizations including one from NGO. The Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture is the Ex-Officio Chairman of the governing body. The design of the Hortex foundation was largely based on or developed from initiatives that had demonstrated some merits in other programmes. It has highlighted the challenges of establishing a service organization on cost recovery basis. 

Bangladesh Applied Nutrition and Human Resource Development Board (BANHRDB)

Human resources are developed through a three day and a one week trainer's training on food based nutrition. District and Upazila officers of various organizations particularly the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) attend the one week program organized at Dhaka. Besides this, three day trainers training is also conducted for the field workers of government and non-governmental organizations organized at the district and Upazila headquarters. Usually, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of the DAE, School teachers, Field 0fficers of NGOs, Elected Representatives of the Union Council, Imams and Farmers attend this program. In both training programs practical aspects are covered. Thus, there is a balance of theoretical and practical learning experiences that enable the participants to apply the knowledge in their domain. The course could be considered as unique because of its multi-disciplinary, integrated and holistic approach that deals with food, nutrition, health and management.

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