March 5, 2024, Dhaka, Bangladesh – The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and CGIAR, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, convened a workshop on “Agri-food value chains and farm mechanization in Bangladesh” at the Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The workshop explored the critical role of intermediaries within agri-food value chains in Bangladesh in the context of 1) how rice and potato value chains work and the financial needs of actors to improve overall efficiency within these value chains, and 2) how the expansion of machinery ownership affects agricultural development. The event convened key stakeholders to explore innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in Bangladesh.
The workshop opened with remarks from representatives of IFPRI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Akhter Ahmed, IFPRI-Bangladesh Country Representative emphasized the continued importance of agriculture for livelihoods in Bangladesh. “A recent IFPRI study found that agriculture-led growth is three times more effective in alleviating poverty than other sectors in the economy in Bangladesh,” Ahmed stated. He highlighted the strong growth linkage effects of value chains on the economy and the critical role of farm mechanization in improving farmers’ profitability, particularly amid rising rural labor wages.
Representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, including Ms. Maria May, Senior Program Officer and Ms. Snigdha Ali, Bangladesh Country Lead for Financial Services for the Poor, reiterated the Foundation's commitment to supporting initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture and improving smallholder farmers' livelihoods.
The Guest of Honor, Dr. Md. Mahmudur Rahman, Joint Secretary (PPC Wing), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, commended the collaborative efforts between IFPRI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Ministry of Agriculture in driving agricultural policy reforms and fostering sustainable development. Dr. Rahman stated, “We remain steadfast in our dedication to thorough program evaluations and evidence-based policymaking.” This commitment reflects unwavering resolve to ensure that policies are informed by empirical evidence and tailored to address the unique challenges of Bangladesh's agricultural landscape.
The workshop also featured research presentations on agri-food value chains and farm mechanization.
IFPRI Senior Research Fellows Dr. Kate Ambler and Dr. Alan de Brauw presented IFPRI and CGIAR’s research on the role of intermediaries in rice and potato value chains in Bangladesh. IFPRI’s research found widespread concerns that rice and potato value chain actors take high margins, especially in the context of rising prices, and proposed policy options for enhancing the efficiency and inclusivity of value chains, potentially leading to improved prices for agricultural producers and higher quality products for consumers.
Next, IFPRI Research Fellows Dr. Ben Belton and Dr. Mehrab Bakhtiar presented preliminary findings from IFPRI’s ongoing policy research on farm mechanization in Bangladesh, which aims to assess the state of agricultural mechanization and study the impact of the government’s ‘Farm Mechanization through Integrated Management’ program on the agricultural sector. The research is being guided by a Technical Advisory Committee, formed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, to ensure alignment with the Ministry’s policy priorities.
Dr. Ruhul Amin Talukder, Senior Policy Advisor at IFPRI and Former Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, skillfully moderated the discussion on Mechanization Presentation, offering profound insights into Bangladesh's agricultural policies. Reflecting on the evolution of agricultural mechanization, Dr. Talukder emphasized the importance of understanding key factors such as tax regimes, financing mechanisms, private sector participation, and regulatory regimes. He stated, "When we identify the evolution of agricultural mechanization policy, we need to embark on three to four things - how the tax regimes have evolved over the years, how the financing mechanism, incentives, or programs by Bangladesh Bank and other banks evolved, how the private sector participation was encouraged since the liberalization in the 1980s, and how the regulatory regimes in terms of standardization of machines have evolved. We need to understand these when we define phases of mechanization in our country." He also highlighted the significance of research findings from BIHS and agricultural census, noting, "I think the findings from BIHS and agricultural census are useful. The insensitivity of the mechanization towards the yield, productivity, profitability, and income is because the prevalence of mechanization in transplanting and harvesting is very low."
In his closing remarks, Dr. Alan de Brauw expressed gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions and reiterated IFPRI's commitment to support evidence-based policymaking for agricultural innovation in Bangladesh.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders across government, research, academia, and the private sector to discuss key issues affecting Bangladesh's agricultural sector. Participants highlighted the need for targeted interventions to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers and promote inclusive growth in agricultural value chains.
IFPRI's collaborative research with the Government of Bangladesh represents a significant step in advancing agricultural mechanization and enhancing the efficiency of agri-food value chains in the country. By leveraging extensive experience and collaborating with stakeholders, the program aims to provide actionable insights and recommendations to policymakers. This initiative is crucial for driving sustainable agricultural development, improving the resilience of the agricultural sector, and enhancing livelihoods across the country.
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For more information, please contact: Mr. Md. Shafiqul Karim, Media & Communications Consultant, IFPRI-Bangladesh at mshafiqulkarim@gmail.com.
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Learn more at www.cgiar.org.
We would like to thank all funders who support this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund: www.cgiar.org/funders/
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), a research center of CGIAR, provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI’s strategic research aims to identify and analyze alternative international and country-led strategies and policies for meeting food and nutrition needs in low- and middle-income countries, with particular emphasis on poor and vulnerable groups in those countries, gender equity, and sustainability. Visit the global website (www.ifpri.org) and the country website (https://bangladesh.ifpri.info).