The future of Bangladeshi agriculture is not simply in more acreage or higher chemical inputs. It lies in smarter, greener systems that breathe new life into the soil, unlock value from what was once discarded and leverage digital insights to guide every seed planted and every drop of water applied, writes Makhan Lal Dutta
IN BANGLADESH where agriculture is the backbone of the economy and livelihood, a pivotal moment has arrived, not just to grow more but to grow differently. From the soggy rice of the Barind Tract to the fertile alluvial soils of the Meghna basin, the traditional model of high-input farming is increasingly showing its cracks: soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, excessive chemical use and rising greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, amidst such challenges, emerging approaches offer a way forward: regenerative soil practices, circular reuse of agricultural waste and precision digital farming. Together, they may usher in a new era of productive yet climate-smart agriculture.
Regenerative agriculture is more than a buzzword. Experts note that practices such as no-till or reduced tillage, cover cropping, compost and manure applications, integrated agroforestry and crop-livestock integration can restore soil structure, increase organic matter and enhance nutrient cycling. A 2024 study of agroforestry in the Madhupur Sal forest region found significant improvements in soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels, along with enhanced yields and biodiversity. When Bangladesh鈥檚 soils face nutrient depletion and overuse of fertilisers 鈥� one report found unhealthy fertiliser practices threatening long-term soil health 鈥� regenerative approaches become not an optional extra but a vital necessity.
Parallel to restoring the soil is the need to rethink what we call 鈥榳aste.鈥� Agricultural operations generate enormous volumes of crop residue, animal manure and post-harvest biomass. Much of it is left unused or burnt, releasing carbon and methane. Biomass from crop residues, animal manure and municipal organic waste already represent an under-utilised resource for energy and fertiliser recovery. A recent study in Sirajganj estimated that dairy farm manure alone could produce around 200GWh of energy annually, cutting over 100 gigagrams of CO2 equivalent per year when converted properly. Meanwhile, the country has approved the first large-scale waste-to-energy facility in north Dhaka to process over 3,000 tonnes of waste per day, linking municipal discards to renewable electricity generation. These developments signal a shift towards a circular bioeconomy in which residues become resources: compost, biogas, or heat rather than pollutants or landfill fodder.
At the same time, Bangladesh is embracing the third pillar of the transformation: precision and digital agriculture. Tools such as soil sensors, drones, satellite imagery, GPS-guided equipment and mobile-based decision support are introduced to optimise input use, reduce waste and lower environmental impact. According to recent analysis, precision farming in Bangladesh shows promise for reducing water use by 30-40 per cent and significantly lowering fertiliser waste. However, adoption remains constrained by the country鈥檚 smallholder-dominated system, the cost of technology, data literacy and the need for farmer training. A study on Agriculture 4.0 highlighted these structural challenges in the Bangladeshi context.
The convergence of these three dimensions 鈥� soil regeneration, resource-circular bioeconomy and precision farming 鈥� offers a powerful pathway for agriculture to expand productivity without exacerbating the climate crisis. Policymakers, the private sector and farmers now have to align. For example, capacity-building programmes must train farmers in regenerative techniques, while extension services deliver real-time data advice via mobile platforms. Incentives are needed to valorise agricultural waste: biogas digesters, composting hubs and farmer cooperatives can transform manure and crop residues into revenue streams. Meanwhile, public investments and subsidy schemes must support sensor networks, micro-drones, soil-mapping services and low-cost equipment tailored to small plots.
There is also an urgent need to put these technologies to practice on the ground. A mindset shift is required: from 鈥榤ore chemical inputs equals more yield鈥� to 鈥榟ealthy soil and efficient use of inputs deliver sustainable yield and resilience.鈥� In areas such as the Madhupur ridge, agro-forestry trials and no-till systems have shown that yields need not suffer. Indeed, they often perform better under climate stress. Likewise, community-based biogas plants show how manure can power local energy systems and fertiliser flows simultaneously. On the precision side, mobile-based advisory services now can help even marginal farmers interpret data and adjust fertiliser or irrigation accordingly.
Yet, obstacles remain: financing models for small farmers are weak, the digital divide remains significant and institutional coordination across agriculture, energy and environment ministries is still nascent. But this moment is opportune. Bangladesh is already vulnerable to climate shocks, sea-level rise and soil salinisation: every tonne of carbon saved, every field left unburnt, every drop of water spared matters. Regenerative soils, waste-to-value bioeconomy and smart farming together can rewrite the trajectory of agriculture here.
In sum, the future of Bangladeshi agriculture is not simply in more acreage or higher chemical inputs. It lies in smarter, greener systems that breathe new life into the soil, unlock value from what was once discarded and leverage digital insights to guide every seed planted and every drop of water applied. If agriculture is to grow while cutting down its greenhouse emissions, this triad offers the blueprint. The question now is whether we have the collective will and institutional muscle to make it happen.
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Dr Makhan Lal Dutta ([email protected]), an irrigation engineer, is chair and chief executive officer of Harvesting Knowledge Consultancy.
