Contribution of Agricultural Sector in the Economy of Bangladesh

Background of the study

The economy of Bangladesh is primarily dependent on agriculture. The agriculture sector
comprises crops, forests, fisheries and livestock. About 84 percent of the total population live in
rural areas and are directly or indirectly engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities.
Almost 80 percent people’s livelihood depends on agriculture. The agriculture sector is the single
largest contributor to income and employment generation and a vital element in the country’s
challenge to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, reduce rural poverty and foster
sustainable economic development. Agriculture sector generates 63. 2% percent of total national
employment. Although this rate is decreasing, agriculture is still the main engine. Bangladesh
also export many kinds of agricultural products. Though Bangladeshi farmers produce
sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and various fruits and vegetables. Jute, Shrimps, Tea are the main
export earners. Jute, often called the "golden fiber" of Bengal, is the main export-earner for
Bangladeshi agriculture. Bangladesh remains the world's second-largest producer of jute (after
India) and the world's largest exporter of fiber. Bangladesh also produces tea leaves, mainly for
export. Tropical rainforest is important for maintaining the ecological balance in Bangladesh.
Fishing is another important activity in the country. Finally, we can said that Agriculture plays a
crucial role in the life of an economy. It is the backbone of our economic system. Agriculture not
only provides food and raw material but also employment opportunities to a very large
proportion of population.

Objective
To know the contribution of Agricultural sector in the economy of Bangladesh

Literature Review
The Research paper, Article and some thesis paper I study to understand my topics, said that
agricultural sector has a huge effect in the economy of Bangladesh. Until mid 1990’s the pattern
and style of agricultural industry followed the same road that was followed in 1950’s. In
Bangladesh agricultural holding were small. But the use of modern technology is gradually
gaining popularity. Rice, Jute, Sugarcane, Tea, Tobacco considered as principal crops were only
Variable list

Variable Unit of Measurement

1. Contribution of agricultural sector in GDP from 1972-2019. Percentage
2. Employment. Crore
3. Foreign exchange earnings. Percentage
4. Industrial development Million BDT
5. Cropping Intensity Percentage
6. Use of chemical fertilizer Lakh MT.
7. Area under irrigation Percentage
8. Food grains production. Lakh MT.
9. Land use pattern Percentage
10. Forestry Percent in Fiscal Year

Data source
This analysis is based on secondary data. Bangladesh Bureau of statistics (BBS), The Centre for
policy dialogue (CPD), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), International Monetary Fund (IMF),
World development indicators, 2012 published by the World Bank are the data source from
where I collect data for analysis.