The CGPRT Centre The Regional Co-ordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific (CGPRT Centre) was established in 1981 as a subsidiary body of UN/ESCAP. Objectives In co-operation with ESCAP member countries, the Centre will initiate and promote research, training and dissemination of information on socio-economic and related aspects of CGPRT crops in Asia and the Pacific. In its activities, the Centre aims to serve the needs of institutions concerned with planning, research, extension and development in relation to CGPRT crop production, marketing and use. Programmes In pursuit of its objectives, the Centre has two interlinked programmes to be carried out in the spirit of technical cooperation among developing countries: 1. Research and development which entails the preparation and implementation of projects and studies covering production, utilization and trade of CGPRT crops in the countries of Asia and the South Pacific. 2. Human resource development and collection, processing and dissemination of relevant information for use by researchers, policy makers and extension workers. CGPRT Centre Working Papers currently available: Working Paper No. 40 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Vietnam: Institutional and Structural Aspects by Nguyen Trung Que Working Paper No. 41 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Indonesia: Institutional and Structural Aspects by Erwidodo Working Paper No. 42 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in China: Institutional and Structural Aspects by Jikun Huang and Chunlai Chen Working Paper No. 43 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in China: Commodity Aspects by Jikun Huang and Chunlai Chen Working Paper No. 44 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Pakistan: Commodity Aspects by Muhammad Ramzan Akhtar Working Paper No. 45 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in India: Commodity Aspects by Ramesh Chand Working Paper No. 46 Effects of Trade Liberalization on Agriculture in Malaysia: Commodity Aspects by Tengku Mohd Ariff Tengku Ahmad and Ariffin Tawang (Continued on inside back cover) An Agricultural Statistical Profile of Bangladesh, 1947-1999 “CGPRT Centre Works Towards Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Reducing Poverty in Asia and the Pacific” The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the United Nations. WORKING PAPER 54 An Agricultural Statistical Profile of Bangladesh, 1947-1999 Mohammad A.T. Chowdhury Harry Zulfikar CGPRT Centre Regional Co-ordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific CGPRT Centre Jalan Merdeka 145, Bogor 16111 Indonesia © 2001 by the CGPRT Centre All rights reserved. Published 2001 Printed in Indonesia National Library: Cataloguing in Publication Chowdhury, Mohammad A.T. An Agricultural Statistical Profile of Bangladesh, 1947-1999 / Mohammad A.T. Chowdhury and Harry Zulfikar -- Bogor: CGPRT Centre, 2001. xviii, 412 pp.; 25.5 cm. -- (Working paper series; No. 54) Bibliography: 1 p ISBN 979-9317-11-8 1. Agriculture -- Bangladesh -- Statistics. I. Title II. Zulfikar, Harry III. Series 630.954.92 Table of Contents Page List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................... xi Conversions of Units ............................................................................................................... xiii Foreword .................................................................................................................................. xv Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. xvii 1. Bangladesh: an Overview 1.1 Historical background ............................................................................................ 1 1.2 Area, location and the boundary ............................................................................. 1 1.3 Administrative divisions ......................................................................................... 1 1.4 Physiography .......................................................................................................... 1 1.5 Land use ................................................................................................................. 2 1.6 Soil ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.7 Climate ................................................................................................................... 3 1.8 Water resources and irrigation ................................................................................ 3 1.9 Cropping patterns ................................................................................................... 4 1.10 Agricultural production regions ............................................................................. 5 1.11 Socio-economic conditions .................................................................................... 5 1.12 Food security ......................................................................................................... 6 2. The Agricultural Sector 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 7 2.2 Structure of crop production .................................................................................. 7 2.3 Review of past performance.................................................................................... 7 2.4 Paddy/rice ............................................................................................................... 8 2.5 Wheat ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.6 Coarse grains .......................................................................................................... 9 2.7 Tuber crops ............................................................................................................ 9 2.8 Other crops ............................................................................................................. 9 2.9 Food deficiency ...................................................................................................... 9 2.10 Food balance .......................................................................................................... 10 2.11 Production constraints ............................................................................................ 10 2.12 Prospects ................................................................................................................ 11 2.13 Government policy ................................................................................................. 12 2.14 Strategies ................................................................................................................ 13 2.15 Policy suggestions .................................................................................................. 14 2.16 A perspective on agriculture .................................................................................. 17 Tables 1. General Indicators ..................................................................................................... 21 2. Agricultural Census 1983/84 .................................................................................... 29 3. Crop Statistics ........................................................................................................... 35 3.1 National ............................................................................................................ 37 v 3.2 District .............................................................................................................. 51 3.2.1 Rice ........................................................................................................ 53 3.2.2 Wheat ...................................................................................................... 149 3.2.3 Coarse grains ........................................................................................... 167 3.2.4 Pulses and oilseeds .................................................................................. 193 3.2.5 Roots and tubers ...................................................................................... 217 4. Commodity Prices ..................................................................................................... 227 5. Food Balance ............................................................................................................ 251 6. Foodgrains Import ..................................................................................................... 259 7. Foodgrains Distribution ...........................................................................................