Bangladesh’s agro-products export in the July-October period of this fiscal year emerged as the second-biggest export earner after apparel, signalling its potential to thrive further. According to a report published in a national daily on Saturday, the export receipts of the four months were recorded at $464 million, up nearly 30 per cent over the same period of the previous year. Usually, jute and jute goods occupy the second position after clothing. In the last fiscal (2020-2021), agriculture was the fourth in export earnings with an overall income worth $1.02 billion followed by garment, jute and home-textile sectors. Economists and sector-insiders believe agro-products may drive a bigger boom if proper value addition is ensured with policy support and incentives.
Experts suggest large-scale farming along with the use of modern technologies under government patronage to exploit the full potential of agro-products export. If proper support is given to the sector, especially agro-processing, they hope it will always take second position in the chart of export products. And this is the sector where Bangladesh has huge comparative advantage over competing nations, including the neighbouring India. Agricultural products include tea, fresh produce, tobacco, processed spices and dry food, among others. It may be noted that agro-supply chain was active even during the Covid-19 pandemic here — despite worldwide disruptions in productive activity — leading to a sharp growth in the sector vis-à-vis its competitors.
The government has drafted two roadmaps to boost the annual export volume of agricultural goods within the next two fiscal years, a views-exchange meeting over the draft roadmaps held in the city revealed yesterday. If the recommendations, placed on the draft roadmaps, are implemented, it would be possible to raise the export earnings from agricultural goods to $1.634 billion in the current fiscal (2021-2022) and $2.0 billion in the next fiscal (2022-2023), according to the roadmaps. To help attain the goal, the authorities need to ensure a dedicated gate along with a scanner at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for entry of fresh farm produce. Globally accredited labs and an export cell are needed in order to increase the export of agricultural goods. Besides, the problem of availability of cargo space in planes needs to be resolved.
