By: Dr. Md. Abdus Salam,
Around ten thousand years ago, a tribe of people landed on the deltaic which is now country Bangladesh.The survivability of newly settled population was closely tied to nature, and primarily dependant on hunting for their subsistence.
Early humans gathered and cared for wild plants, fruit or grain plants, and also tended to local animals near their settlement. Over several thousand years, they gradually transitioned to domesticating plants and animals, eventually shifting their focus toward more organized agricultural practices.
Present agriculture began in this region as early as 7000–5000 BCE, marking the cultivation of crops like wheat, barley, lentils, and peas. This region eventually adjusted to the monsoonal climate and rich soils, which made it perfect for growing rice, which ultimately became the main crop.
The cultivation of rice in the Bengal delta probably started in the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent between 6000 and 5000 BCE. In India, wheat was first cultivated about 7000 BCE and rice was first cultivated in the Far East 1000 years later.
Using their indigenous knowledge, they were able to make hand-crafted apparatuses like axes, machetes, and ploughs and utilized these tools to cultivate crops that were entirely dependent on the natural environment. Around 3500 BCE, they subsequently created a better model of improved plough that could cultivate vast land to produce more crops.
To help in transportation and cultivate fields, domesticated animals like buffalo and oxen were utilized. During this period, there was an expansion in activities such as weed clearing, cutting wild trees, introducing irrigation, and drainage. To provide fodder for domesticated animals, the cultivation of various leguminous crops was first attempted.
Triggered by incidents like Bengal Famine of 1943, which exposed the vulnerability of traditional agriculture in South Asia. A slogan and movement “Grow More Food” initiatives launched with the goal of boosting and sustaining food production in India and parts of Bengal while utilizing available resources at hand.
These efforts laid the groundwork for the full-scale Green Revolution of the 1960s, which brought high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops including rice and wheat, made possible by these initiatives.
The early efforts and concepts to boost up agricultural productivity combating hunger and food shortages are referred to as the "Green Revolution". Navigating through a thousand years of history and overcoming countless obstacles, our agriculture has now solidly established itself on the global stage, bringing pride to the Bengali nation.
Once subsistence farming used to dominate it, but it has steadily shifted toward a more diverse and market-oriented sector.
From 1970 to 2023, rice production increased by 3.6 times, while wheat production grew elevenfold. Livestock, poultry, and fisheries have also experienced strong growth. Between the decades of seventies and twenties, milk production increased by 20 percent and egg by 66 percent.
The country now ranks globally second in jute and jackfruit, third in onion, rice, and open-water fish, and seventh in mango and potato. Although mechanization has increased quickly, there are still gaps: Bangladesh utilizes only 3.6 kW of farm power per hectare, while China and Japan use 5.7 and 8.75 kW, respectively. These achievements highlight the sectoral resilience and high potential (BARC, 2025).
It has stated earlier that agriculture has historically been the backbone of Bangladesh which provides the country with food and employs a large part of the labour force (about 45%). Revitalizing agriculture through youth involvement is no longer optional, rather it is essential for the country to support sustainable development, assure food security, and adapt to climate change.
However, young people's participation in farming has paradoxically been declining in emerging countries. Bangladesh is, despite being an agricultural powerhouse, not an exception. As the global food system evolves under the pressures of climate change, digital technologies, and shifting consumer tastes, the sector faces a crossroads. To remain productive and competitive, Bangladesh needs to transform its farming systems by changing its agricultural practices and its youth lies at the heart of this transformation.
Renowned economist C. Peter Timmer noted that every successful developing economy has followed a powerful historical path of structural transformation in agriculture, when countries is in its transition to developed economy. In his work "World Without Agriculture" (2014), Timmer outlined the classical model and identified four key indicators:i. The share of agriculture in gross domestic product (GDP) tends to decline,ii.
The proportion of the labor force employed in agriculture decreases,iii. Agricultural productivity per worker must increase, andiv. The overall agricultural GDP should grow, but at a slower rate compared to productivity growth.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), both the share of agriculture in GDP and the agricultural labor force have been steadily declining over the past two decades. A researcher M. U. Salam reported that by 2050, agriculture’s contribution to GDP could fall to around 2%, with only 11% of the labor force remaining in agriculture.
Keeping growth and feeding the ever-increasing people, an important question made us think how will the agriculture production proceed for future. Considering this context, Moin further emphasized that agricultural productivity will need more than double to meet these demands.
Bangladesh is blessed with a demographic dividend that is unmatched by many other nations. Nearly half of the population fall within the 15–44 age group. This young generation is more economically active, better educated, more tech-savvy, and globally connected.
Unlike elder farmers who frequently use traditional practices, today’s youth are more inquisitive, adaptable, and willing to embrace change qualities that make them critical game changer of agricultural transformation.
However, trends of labour force patterns indicate a serious decline. Between 1995 and 2010, youth employment in agriculture dropped sharply from 49.8 percent to 33.1 percent as urbanization and the lure of non-farm jobs pulled young people away from the fields. Without reversing this decline, Bangladesh risks at losing a generation of potential agri-innovators.
However, this transformation cannot continue without the active involvement of young people. They contribute not only energy but also a readiness to embrace innovation and take risks, exploring advanced methods like precision agriculture, hydroponics, smart irrigation, vertical farming, and bio-organic approaches.
With global networks at their fingertips, they are well-equipped to tailor these technologies to local needs. In a time when agricultural labor is declining and employment options are limited, engaging youth as agricultural entrepreneurs is both essential and promising.
In the crop sector, young people can get engaged in various avenues such as producing quality seeds, , promoting plant nurseries and organic farming, and cultivating exotic fruits like strawberries, rambutan, and even coffee.
Horticulture and floriculture present additional opportunities through mushroom farming, growing medicinal plants like aloe vera and lemongrass, and producing ornamental flowers such as orchids and tulips for both local and export markets.
In the livestock and fisheries sectors, potential areas include improved local poultry and goat breeds, producing eco-friendly animal feed, running fish hatcheries, ornamental fish, processing safe dried fish, and beekeeping.
Furthermore, the agri-services and agri-industry sectors offer youth the chance to develop small-scale cold storage facilities, agro-processing businesses, e-commerce platforms for agricultural products, and technology-driven advisory services.
Robotics, AI-driven crop monitoring, drone-based spraying, and blockchain-enabled food traceability could revolutionize the sector if youth are given the right tools and training. These ventures support broader national objectives related to food safety, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods.
Despite these opportunities, aspiring agri-entrepreneurs face serious obstacles and social bullying. Limited access to credit and startup capital remains a critical barrier. Climate risks and natural disasters add to the uncertainty, while lengthy licensing procedures discourage or even halt innovation.
Many young people also lack mentorship, business skill, and access to land or technology. Unless these challenges are addressed, motivated young innovators may abandon agriculture altogether or seek opportunities abroad.
Policymakers can help unlock this potential by expanding access to startup financing and incubation programs, simplifying licensing, strengthening research-extension linkages, and promoting positive media narratives that restore dignity to agriculture.
The journey of Bangladesh’s agricultural transformation will be incomplete without its youth. With passion, innovation, and a forward-thinking mindset, young people have the power to turn obstacles into opportunities—redefining agriculture as a modern, profitable, and sustainable industry.
Unlocking their potential through investments in entrepreneurship, skills training, and digital tools is essential. With their leadership, the future of agriculture in Bangladesh holds great promise.
Author is Dr. Md. Abdus Salam,
Principal Agricultural Economist
and
DPD(HRD),
BARC part, PARTNER,
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Dhaka
