The objective of the study is to identify the constraints, potentials and recommending solutions as regards agribusiness development in Bangladesh. The methodology of the study included survey, PRA, RRA and FGD with different sector peoples comprising farmers, agribusiness-man, policy makers and specialists. The study covered 22 districts of 6 Divisions covering in all a randomly selected population. The existing situation of the as documented through Agricultural and Agribusiness Project reports of Ministry of Agriculture and international Donors are also thoroughly collected .interpreted and used in the study. The core data came from the survey done by 6 pre-tested questionnaires.
The main findings of the study were found to be price irregularity, lack of optimum production, and very weak information communication. For all the population (60-80) % respondent highlighted the lack price policy, inadequate agro-technological knowledge transfer and extremely neglected agro-media service as the constraints of agribusiness development in Bangladesh. According them Bangladesh has the potential to develop agribusiness if the constraints are removed.
The opportunities in Agribusiness sector relate to five main aspects:
i. Large population; ii. Natural and comparative advantage; iii. Policy reforms and shift in the role of the government and private sector; iv. Entrepreneurial culture; and
v. Tradition of associations.
The final recommendations made from the study as per existing situation are mentioned here. i. Training facilities for agri-tech-marketing-media profession being curricular forms; ii. Small-scale agro-tech need more attention of the policy makers; iii. The employment promoters should prioritize labour intensive technologies.
1. Introduction
The economy of Bangladesh is largely dependent on agriculture, which supports the vast majority of her population, producing about 32 percent of GDP, 23 percent of exports and employing 63
References: Aghion, P., and E. Caroli, et al. (1999). Inequality and Economic Growth: The Perspective of the New Growth Theories. Journal of Economic Literature 37 (4) (December): 1615-1660. Agrani Bank (2002). Annual Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Agrani Bank.. Agribusiness Development Project, (2005). ADB TA No. 4139-BAN. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Agrico Limited. Agri-food Consulting International (2002a). Rice Value Chain Study: Cambodia. A Report Prepared for the World Bank.. Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Agri-food Consulting International. Banglapedia (2002). Soils of Bangladesh. http://banglaQedia.search.com.bd/HT/B 0251.htm. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. BASIC Bank (2002). Annual Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh, BASIC Bank. BASIC Bank (2003). Annual Report. Dhaka, BCSIR (2003). Annual Report BCSIR and IFST (2003). Annual Report 2002 - 2003. Dhaka, Bangladesh, IFST and Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Cato, J. C. and S. Subasinge (2003). Case Study: The Shrimp Export Industry in Bangladesh. Food Safety in Food Security and Food Trade. Focus 10, Brief 9 of 17, September 2003. Washington, D.C., International Food Policy Research Institute,. Chowdhury, A. K. (2003). Vision 2020 and Strategic Action Plan for Development of Agr-Processing Industry in Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Agricultural Marketing Company Limited. Fearne, A. and D. Hughes (1998). Success Factors in the Fresh Produce SuppIv Chain: Some_ Examples from the UK. Executive Summary. London, Wye College. Gascoine, D. (2003). ITC Information Package for Business on the WTO/SPS Agreement. Power point Presentation prepared for the International Trade Centre. Dhaka, Bangladesh, UNCTADNVTO. Hassanullah, M. (1993). Review of Agricultural Markets of Bangladesh. Bangladesh-Canada Agriculture Sector Team. Dhaka, Bangladesh, CIDA. Humphrey, J. and A. Oetero (2000). Strategies for Diversification and Adding Value to Food Exports: A Value Chain Perspective. UNCTAD/DITC/COM/TM/1, UNCTAD/ITE/ MISC.23.14 November. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. ICG (2003). National Private Sector Survey of Enterprises in Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh, International Consulting Group in association with MIDAS and HB Consultants Ltd. Janata Bank (2002). Annual Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Janata Bank. JETRO (2003). Economy of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Khan, M., M. Rahman, et al. (2001). Agro-Processing Industries and Marketing Development Project A( MDP). Project Concept Paper (Revised). Dhaka, Bangladesh, Lambert, D Ministry of Agriculture (1996a). New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP). Dhaka, Bangladesh, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh. MOF Ministry of Finance and Customs Act (IV of 1969). First Schedule. 2 volumes. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Ministry of Finance. NARS-BARC (2000). Bangladesh NARS- 2020. A Vision for Agricultural Research. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. Ponte, S. (2001). The 'Latte Revolution '? Winners and Losers in the Restructuring of the Global Coffee Marketing Chain. TCDR Working Paper 01.3. Copenhagen, Centre for Development Research. Rahman, M. F. (2003). "Agricultural Marketing Information System in Bangladesh." Agricultural Marketing 45 (4) (January-March): 29-32. Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank (2001) Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank. Annual Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank. Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank (2002). Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank Annual Renort. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank. Rashid, M. A. et al. (2001). Crop Cultivation Practices: Input-Outout Relationship of Major Crops in Bangladesh.. Final Report. Dhaka, Bangladesh, Agricultural Economics Division, BARI. Reardon, T Reardon, T. and J. Berdegue (2002b). "Supermarkets and Agrifood systems: Latin American Challenges." Development Policy Review Theme Issue 20 (4). Reardon, T., J.-M. Codron, et al. (1999). "Global Change in Agrifood Grades and Standards: Agribusiness Strategic Responses in Developing Countries." International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 2 (3-4) (1999): 421-435. Robbins, P. (2003). Stolen Fruit: The Tropical Commodities Disaster. London, Zed Books. Roekel, J van., R Kopicki, et al. (2002). Building Agri Supply Chains: Issues and Guidelines. Washington, D.C, World Bank. Sako, M. (1992). Prices. Quality and Trust: Inter-firm Relations in Britain and Japan. 18. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press Scanfo aps, et al Stiglitz, J. E. (1969). Distribution of Income and Wealth Among Individuals." Econometrica 37 (3) (July): 382-397. Talbot, J. M. (1997a). The Struggle for Control of a Commodity Chain: Instant Coffee from Latin America." Latin American Research Review 32 (2):117-35. Talbot, J. M. (1997a). The Struggle for Control of a Commodity Chain: Instant Coffee from Latin America." Latin American Research Review 32 (2):117-35. UNB (2003). Two laboratories to be set up in Khulna, Ctg to ensure high quality of frozen foods (esp. Shrimp). UNB. Dhaka. UNB (2003). Two laboratories to be set up in Khulna, Ctg to ensure high quality of frozen foods (esp. Shrimp). UNB. Dhaka. UNCTAD (2000). Strategies for Diversification and Adding Value to Food Exgorts: A Value Chain Perspective. UNCTAD/DITC/COM/TM/1.14 November 2000. Geneva, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Urch, M Uzzi, B. (1997). Social Structure and Competition in Inter-Firm Networks: The Paradox of Embeddedness. Administrative Science Quarterly 42: 35-67. Uzzi, B. (1997). "Social Structure and Competition in Inter-Firm Networks: The Paradox of Embeddedness." Administrative Science Quarterly 42: 35-67. Vorley, B. (2003). Food. Inc.: Coroorate Concentration from Farm to Consumer. London, UK Food Group and International Institute for Environment and Development. World Bank (2004). Making Services Work for Poor People. World Development Report 2004. Washington, D.C., World Bank.