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Scope and Challenges of Organic Wheat Cultivation in Bangladesh

M.A. Sarker
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Y. Itohara
Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Japan

M. Hoque
Teacher's Training College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Sarder N. Uddin
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Due to continuous health awareness of the consumers towards organic food, organic wheat is being popular globally. Western Europe, North America, Japan and Australia are considered major markets for organic wheat where there to be few export opportunities for developing countries like Bangladesh in these markets. On the other hand, Bangladeshi farmers are producing organic wheat by default as many of them do not have affordability to costly chemicals. Moreover, the country has a wide range of wheat varieties those are tolerant to disease and insect pests, surplus labors, and an abundance of indigenous knowledge to manage their farm organically. However, there is no active initiative from the public sector extension organizations to promote organic wheat cultivation among the general farmers. Organic farmers are organized here by the initiatives of some NGOs and there are no controlling systems and certification bodies for organic produces except organic shrimp and tea. Despite of having these sorts of major challenges, Bangladesh has good prospects in organic wheat cultivation. Our study reveal that the key to translate the possibilities into realities is the better partnership and cooperation among organic wheat farmers, NGOs, certifiers, marketing people (both local and export), state and the programs that will support organic wheat cultivation and ultimately it will contribute in reducing poverty of the poor farmers of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Wheat, Triticum aestivum L., Scope, Challenges, Organic cultivation

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Wheat

Objectives:

To promote organic wheat cultivation among the general farmers.

Methodology:

The most serious constraints to organic wheat production in Bangladesh is a biotic stresses, the unusual warming trends during grain filling period are causing yield declines. There are other challenges that are specific to the highly productive rice–wheat cropping system predominant in the Gangetic flood plains. The total factor productivity of this system is declining due to depletion of soil organic carbon. Addition of organic matter to soil through green manure and crop residue recycling, balanced fertilization, integrated nutrient management, diversification of rice-wheat system are some of the possible remedial measures to improve total factor productivity. Another major challenge for expansion of organic wheat in Bangladesh is policy problem. Organic farming movement was launched in Bangladesh in the early 1980’s, but unfortunately, the sector has failed to draw the proper attention of policymakers. With a huge population to feed, the policymakers in the area of agriculture were more concerned about food security through increased production. But the actual definition of the term “food security” covers more area than to the increase in food production, According to World Food Summit, “Food security” not only means the availability of foods but also the physical and economic access of all people, at all times to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. However, the policy area of Bangladesh generally views food security in terms of some important components like availability, access and utilization of foods. The Government is committed to the continued development of agriculture in order to maintain food supply to the growing population, provide income and employment for rural people, and protect the environment. With this goal the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has developed New Agricultural Extension Policy in 1996 where one specific policy objective was to reduce environmental degradation from July 1995 to June 2010. But the policy never got translated into programs and actions. DAE did not yet take sufficient initiatives to promote organic farming which has already become popular to scientists and researchers throughout the world, and has already got considerable attention from both government sectors and the NGOs of many South Asian countries like India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Though, few NGOs are promoting organic farming in Bangladesh but their attention is focused on high value vegetables and aromatic rice. Thus, for expansion of organic wheat cultivation proper attention is needed by the agricultural policy makers. In addition, due to the lack of certification, farmers in Bangladesh have been missing the real essence of price premium of organic produce. Thus, similar to other organic crops it is essential to develop certification system for organic wheat that will ensure easy access of Bangladesh’s organic wheat in the developed countries where it has high demand. As the Government of Bangladesh does not have any patronization for organic farming, the concerned NGOs can develop private certification bodies providing the option of individual and group certification as recommended by IFOAM. In this regard, careful attention must be paid to the ability of farmers in determining the cost of certification. The concerned NGOs can also make a bridge between the organic wheat farmers and exporters for smooth marketing of the organic wheat. They can even lobby with the exporters to pay a percentage of the certification costs. This type of certification program may create a good environment of exporting organic wheat to the developed countries and help in poverty reduction of the poor farmers in Bangladesh.

Source of Information: AJCS 5(9):1114-1119 (2011); ISSN:1835-2707

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Inspite of having a wide range of wheat varieties, surplus labors, and an abundance of indigenous knowledge, many Bangladeshi farmers have been cultivating wheat organically by default. Regardless of having some major challenges including the lack of political recognition, Bangladesh has good prospects in organic wheat cultivation. By updating these age-old organic systems with modern research and technologies we may open the door of endless possibilities of improving soil health, taking care of environment, and providing sustainable livelihoods for the peoples of the farming community in Bangladesh through organic wheat cultivation. The key to translate those possibilities into realities is the better partnership and cooperation among organic wheat farmers, NGOs, certifiers, marketing people (both local and export), state and the programs that will support organic wheat cultivation. By working together it may easily achieve the goals of promoting organic wheat in the country and can create markets for organic wheat locally, regionally and globally and ultimately it will contribute in reducing poverty of the poor farmers of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal