Bangladesh’s fertile soil is its greatest blessing, and agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy. The subtropical climate further enhances this advantage. Naturally, agricultural production varies depending on soil type and weather conditions, especially in the northern region. Yet, despite good seasonal yields, farmers often cannot properly process their produce due to inadequate management, preventing significant improvements in their livelihoods.
The fertile soil in Bangladesh has largely been formed from sediments carried by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Mixed with saline water, these sediments stabilized to form the delta, the largest in the world. The soil of the northern region includes the Teesta floodplains, the Himalayan piedmont plains, the Barind terraces, and the Ganges floodplains.
Barind soil, however, is relatively less fertile and requires irrigation and fertilizers. The subtropical climate in this region is seasonal, with average temperatures ranging from 21 to 31°C and annual rainfall between 2,000 and 2,500 mm. These conditions favor cultivation of rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, and mangoes, though risks of drought and rising temperatures persist. The northern region produces a substantial portion of the country’s rice, maize, and potatoes.
Despite this potential, limited storage and processing facilities result in considerable losses. Cold storage facilities are few, rental costs are high, and farmers are often forced to sell produce below production costs. Post-harvest losses amount to around 20 to 30 percent. Only about 2 percent of agricultural produce is processed nationally, an extremely low figure. Developing modern industries, storage, and supply chains could greatly reduce losses and unlock the region’s agricultural potential.
To address these challenges, solutions can be implemented in five strategic steps.
The first and most critical step is to improve cold storage and preservation systems. Although production of crops such as potatoes and maize is substantial, inadequate cold storage and preservation facilities result in significant post-harvest losses. Currently, the storage capacity for potatoes produced annually in this region is only about 2.3 million tons, which accounts for less than 25 percent of total production. Consequently, most farmers are forced to sell their harvest immediately after collection, causing oversupply in the market and prices to fall below production costs. However, developing modern small- and medium-sized cold storage facilities, cooperative-based storage systems, and improved supply chains at the local level would allow crops to be stored for longer periods, regulate market supply, and reduce farmers’ losses.
Second, to find a sustainable solution to the agricultural crisis in the northern region, it is essential to expand the agro-processing industry. According to recent data, in the fiscal year 2024-25, Bangladesh’s potato production reached approximately 11.57 million tons. Domestic demand for potatoes is around 9 million tons, leaving a surplus of about 2.5 to 3 million tons each year. The reality is that only a small fraction around 3 to 4 percent of this production is processed in the industrial sector. In contrast, in developed countries, approximately 60 to 65 percent of total potato production is utilized in various industries. As a result, most of the surplus potatoes enter the market directly, causing oversupply and price drops.
If large-scale processing facilities are established using modern technology, production of value-added products such as potato chips, French fries, flakes, and starch could increase significantly. Similarly, maize could be processed into animal feed and other industrial products. This would enhance the value of agricultural products and transform surplus crops into economic assets.
Third, to make agriculture in the northern region sustainable and profitable, it is essential to provide training for farmers and establish cooperative-based organizations. Nearly half of the country’s workforce is employed in agriculture. However, most smallholders own very small plots of land, often less than one hectare. As a result, they cannot establish a strong market presence individually and frequently fail to receive fair prices for their produce.
In this context, cooperative-based systems are highly effective. By coordinating production, storage, and sales, farmers can reduce costs while increasing the market value of their crops. Additionally, providing training in modern farming techniques, crop quality assessment, grading, packaging, and marketing can significantly boost productivity. Results from various projects indicate that such training can increase yields by approximately 15 to 25 percent.
Fourth, stabilizing agricultural production in the northern region requires expanding markets and developing robust supply chains. In Bangladesh, a significant portion of crops is lost after harvest due to inadequate transportation, storage, and market access.
Finally, the fifth step is to allocate substantial resources to agricultural research in the northern region, as challenges such as drought, irregular rainfall, and water scarcity are more pronounced there. Addressing these challenges requires the development of drought-tolerant crop varieties, modern irrigation systems, and advanced cultivation technologies. Research can enhance productivity, diversify crops, and increase farmers’ incomes, playing a crucial role in regional food security and economic development. Experts estimate that every unit of investment in agricultural research yields a minimum of eight to nine times return, as new technologies improve productivity, control pests and diseases, and enhance processing efficiency.
In this context, hope has been ignited by the current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman. He has introduced the concept of a “Farmer Card” system to support farmers. Through this program, small, marginal, and medium-scale farmers will have easier access to government facilities, including loans, fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. Additionally, agricultural loans up to BDT 10K will be provided with interest waivers. Following the formation of the BNP government, the cabinet took immediate steps in its first meeting to implement this initiative. Farmers will also receive assistance during harvesting and marketing, which will reduce costs and increase income.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also announced plans to build modern cold storage facilities in the northern region. Speaking at the Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School, he emphasized constructing high-quality storage in Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Dinajpur to minimize post-harvest losses and stabilize market supply. According to the Prime Minister, if farmers can store crops for longer periods, they will not be forced to sell hastily at low prices, ensuring price stability.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister pledged to transform the entire northern region into an agro-industrial hub. In Rajshahi, Dinajpur, and Panchagarh, agricultural raw materials will be processed into industrial-grade and value-added products. This will generate employment opportunities, introduce modern technology, and increase farmers’ incomes.
He also announced plans to resume the Padma Barrage project and the Barind irrigation project. These initiatives will strengthen irrigation in the Barind region, facilitate water storage during the monsoon, and ensure smooth agricultural operations during dry periods. Addressing a public gathering, he stated: “The Barind project, launched by the late President Ziaur Rahman, doubled the country’s food production during his time. This project is now nearly defunct. We aim to properly dredge the canals in this area and also dredge the Padma River to restore its full potential.”
To fully realize the agricultural potential of the northern region, the government, private sector, and farmers must work together. If Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives such as the “Farmer Card” program, expansion of cold storage facilities, development of agro-industrial hubs, and the Barind-Padma Barrage projects, are properly implemented, farmers’ incomes will increase, post-harvest losses will decline, and the regional economy will strengthen.
The five strategic steps outlined earlier – improving preservation methods, expanding agro-processing, providing training and establishing cooperatives, strengthening supply chains, and allocating resources to research, can collectively ensure that agriculture in the northern region plays a pivotal role in the country’s overall development. There is no alternative to bringing smiles to farmers’ faces and realizing their aspirations. The key to Bangladesh’s bright future lies in our green revolution.
Prof. Dr. Md. Shahiduzzaman,
Researcher, Agro-Industrial Policy Specialist and One Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert, Bangladesh Agricultural University.