The Bangladesh government is launching a Tk 7,000 crore project, Mostly financed by the World Bank, to enhance the commercialization of farming and boost agricultural exports. The initiative’s main objectives include expanding the cultivation of fruits and vegetables using Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on 300,000 hectares of land, cultivating climate-resilient and high-yielding varieties of rice, and increasing acreage for pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops to 200,000 hectares each.
This project aims to diversify agricultural production and reduce import dependence on key items, shifting towards commercial farming. It will also address food safety concerns, ensure compliance with GAPs, establish internationally accredited laboratories, and provide support to farmers and entrepreneurs in commercial agriculture and agri-businesses.
Additionally, the government aims to provide a “Krishak Smart Card” to each of the 2.27 crore registered farmers to provide various support. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2028 and will span over 4,500 unions in approximately 495 upazilas across Bangladesh. The World Bank is providing $500 million in credit, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development will contribute $43 million, with the rest coming from the government coffers.
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