AGROECOLOGICAL ZONES (AEZs)

Mirza Hasanuzzaman
Assistant Professor
Department of Agronomy
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

Agroecological zones
An agroecological zone (AEZ) is a zone or region which has unique
combination of physiographic, soil, hydrological and agroclimatic characteristics.
Thirty agroecological regions and 88 subregions and 535 units have been

ly
identified by adding successive layers of information on the physical environment
which are relevant for land use and for assessing agricultural potential. These

on
layers are:
 Physiography (Land forms and soil parent materials)
ts
 Soils
 Depth and duration of seasonal flooding
en

 Length of rainfed kharif and rabi growing periods

 Length of the pre-kharif period of unreliable rainfall
ud

 Length of cool winter period

This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

 Frequency of occurrence of extremely high (>40o C) summer

st

temperatures.
r

There are five types of land level In Bangladesh such as:

Fo

 Highland: Land which is above the normal flood-level

 Medium highland: Land which normally is flooded up to about 90 cm
deep during the flood season
 Medium lowland: Land which normally is flooded between 90 cm and 180
cm deep during the flood season
 Lowland: Land which normally is flooded between 180 cm and 300 cm
deep during the flood season
 Very lowland: Land which normally is flooded deeper than 300 cm during
the flood season.

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com

 . Lists of Agroecological zones

1. Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain

2. Active Tista Floodplain
3. Tista Meander Floodplain
4. Karatoya-Bangali Floodplain
5. Lower Atrai Basin
6. Lower Punarbhaba Floodplain
7. Active Brahmaputra-Jamuna Floodplain
8. Young Brahmaputra and Jamuna Floodplain

ly
9. Old Brahmaputra Floodplain
10. Active Ganges Floodplain

on
11. High Ganges River Floodplain
12. Lower Ganges River Floodplain
13. Ganges Tidal Floodplain
ts
14. Gopalganj-Khulna Beels
en

15. Arial Beel

16. Middle Meghna River Floodplain
ud

17. Lower Meghna River Floodplain

This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

18. Young Meghna Estuarine Floodplain

19. Old Meghna Estuarine Floodplain
st

20. Eastern Surma-Kushiyara Floodplain

21. Sylhet Basin
r

22. Northern and Eastern Piedmont Plain

Fo

23. Chittagong Coastal Plain

24. St. Martin's Coral Island
25. Level Barind Tract
26. High Barind Tract
27. North-eastern Barind Tract
28. Madhupur Tract
29. Northern and Eastern Hills
30. Akhaura Terrace

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com

 Characteristics of different agroecological zones
Name of the AEZs Location Extent Land type Organic Fertility Suitable crops
matter level
content
1. Old Himalayan Piedmont Most of Panchagarh and Thakurgaon 4008 km2 High: 58% Low Low to Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman, Jute,
Plain districts and north-western parts of Medium high: 34% medium Summer vegetables, Summer
Dinajpur districts Others: 8% pulse, Sesame

ly
Rabi: Pulses, Potato,
Vegetables, Wheat, Mustard
2. Active Tista Floodplain Narrow belts within and adjoining the 830 km2 Medium high: 72% Low Medium Kharif: B. Aus, B. Aman, T.

on
chasnnels rivers in Nilphamari, Rangpur, Others: 28% Aman, Jute, Kaon, GM
This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha Rabi: Tobacco, Mustard, Boro

district rice, Wheat, Grasspea, Chilli
3. Tista Meander Floodplain Most of greater Rangpur, eastern part of 9468 km2 High: 35% Medium Medium Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aus, Jute, T.
Panchagarh and Dinajpur; northern Bogra Medium high: 51% Aman, GM, Kaon

ts
and part of Jaipurhat, Noagaon and Others: 14% Rabi: Wheat, Sugarcane,
Rajshahi districts. Potato, Mustard, Blackgram,
Tobacco

en
4. Karatoya-Bangali Eastern half of Bogra district and most of 2572 km2 High: 23% Medium Medium Kharif: Jute, B. Aus, T. Aman,
Floodplain Sirajganj district. Medium high: 44% to high Kaon, GM
Medium low: 14% Rabi: Wheat, Vegetables,
Others: 19% Pulses, Mustard, Potato, Boro

ud
5. Lower Atrai Basin Most of this region lies in Noagaon and 851 km2 Medium high: 21% Medium Low to Kharif: B. Aman, B. Aus
Narore districts. Small areas extend into Low: 65% medium Rabi: Grasspea, Boro
Rajshahi, Bogra and Sirajganj districts. Others: 14%
129 km2
st
6. Lower Punarbhaba Extreme western part of Noagaon districts Low: 60% Medium Medium Kharif: B. Aman
Floodplain and the extreme northern part of Others: 40% to high Rabi: Boro rice
Nawabganj district
r

7. Active Brahmaputra- Eastern part of Kurigram, Gaibandha, 3190 km2 Medium high: 37% Low Low to Kharif: Jute, B. Aus, B. Aman,
Jamuna Floodplain Bogra, Sirajganj and Pabna districts. Medium low: 20% medium T. Aman, Kaon
Fo

Minor areas also occur in Dhaka, Others: 43% Rabi: Wheat, Mustard, Sweet
Munshiganj, Narayanganj and Chandpur Potato, Groundnut, Cheena
districts.

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com

 Name of the AEZs
8. Young Brahmaputra and
Jamuna Floodplain
9. Old Brahmaputra
Floodplain
This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books
10. Active Ganges
Floodplain
11. High Ganges River
Floodplain
12. Lower Ganges River
Floodplain
13. Ganges Tidal Floodplain
14. Gopalganj-Khulna Beels
Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com
Location Extent Land type Organic Fertility Suitable crops
matter level
content
Western parts of Sherpur, Jamalpur and 5924 km2 High: 18% Low to Low Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman, T.
Tangail districts, parts of Manikganj, Medium high: 42% medium Aus, Jute, Green manures, Fox
Dhaka, Munshiganj and Gazipur districts Medium low: 19% tail millet
and a belt of adjoing and old Brahmaputra Others: 9% Rabi: Wheat, Potato,
ly
channel through Mymensingh, Tobacco,Mustard, Boro
Kishoreganj and Narsingdi districts.
Large areas in Sherpur, Jamalpur, Tangail, 7230 km2 High: 28% Low to Low Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman, T.
on
Mymensingh, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Medium high: 35% Medium Aus, Jute, Green manures
Narsingdi and Narayanganj districts. Small Medium low: 18% Rabi: Mustard, Wheat, Pulses,
areas in the east of Dhaka and Gazipur Others: 17% Onion, Potato, Grasspea
districts.
The region extends along the Ganges and 3334 km2 High: 12% Low Medium Kharif: B. Aus, B. Aman, T.
ts
lower Meghna river Channels from the Medium high: 33% Aman, Jute
Indian border Nowabganj and Rajshahi Medium low: 18% Rabi: Boro, Wheat, Onion,
District to the mouth of Meghna estuary in Others: 37% Blackgram, Mustard
en
Lakshmipur and Barisal district.
Nowabganj, Rajshahi, southern Pabna, 13205 km2 High: 43% Low Low Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman, T.
Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaida, Medium high: 32% Aus, Mungbean, Jute, Cotton
Magura, Jessore, Satkhira and Khulna Medium low: 12% Rabi: Wheat, Mustard,
ud
district together with minor areas in Others: 13% Chickpea, Lentil, Boro rice
Noagaon and Narail district.
Nature, Pabna, Goalanda, Faridpur, 7968 km2 High: 13% Medium Medium Kharif: B. Aus, B. Aman, T.
madaripur, Gopalganj and Sariatpur, Medium high: 29% to high Aman, Jute, Kaon, GM
st
eastern parts of Kushtia, Magura and Medium low: 31% Rabi: Pulses, Wheat, Mustard,
Narial, north-eastern parts of Khulna and Others: 27% Linseed, Boro rice
Bagerhat, northern Barisal, and southo-
western parts of Manikganj, Dhaka and
r
Munshiganj districts.
All or most of Barisal, Jhalkati, Pirojpur, 17066 km2 Medium high: 78% Medium High Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman,
Fo
Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Barhuna, Khulna Others: 22% to high Green manures
and Satkhira districts. It includes the Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,
Khulna and Bagerhat Sundarbans Reserve Mungbean, Grasspea, Cowpea,
Forests. Chilli
A number of seperete basin areas in 2247 km2 Medium high: 13% Medium Medium Kharif: T. Aman, Jute, T. Aus,
 Name of the AEZs Location Extent Land type Organic Fertility Suitable crops
matter level
content
Madaripur, Gopalganj, Narial, Jessore, Medium low: 41% to high Sesame, B. Aman
Bagerhat and Khulna districts. Low: 28% Rabi: Boro rice, Bean, Wheat,
Others: 18% Grasspea,
15. Arial Beel Munshiganj and Dhaka district. 144 km2 Medium high: 13% Medium Medium to Kharif: Aus rice, Jute

ly
Low: 73% high Rabi: Pulses, Mustard, Potato,
Others: 14% Boro rice
16. Middle Meghna River Parts of Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, 1555 km2 Medium high: 8% Low Medium Kharif: B. Aus+B.Aman, Jute

on
Floodplain Comilla, Chandpur, Narsingdi and Medium low: 29% Rabi: Boro rice, potato, wheat,
This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

Narayanganj Low: 25% mustard

Very low: 11%
Others:27%
17. Lower Meghna River Chandpur, Lakshimpur and Noakhali. 909 km2 High: 14 Medium Medium to Kharif: T. aman, jute

ts
Floodplain Medium high: 28 high Rabi: Boro rice, Potato, Wheat,
Medium low: 31 Mustard, Groundnut, Lentil,
Others: 27 Chickpea, Soybean, Chilli

en
18. Young Meghna Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, 9269 km2 Medium high: 45% Low Medium Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aus, T.
Estuarine Floodplain Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali and Barguna. Others: 55% Aman
Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,
Mustard, Soybean, Mungbean,

ud
Grasspea, Cowpea, Lentil,
Groundnut, Chilli
19. Old Meghna Estuarine Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, 7740 km2 Medium high: 24% Medium Medium Kharif: B. Aus+B. Aman, T.
Floodplain Comilla, Chadpur, Feni, Noakhali, Medium low: 33% Aman, Jute
st
Laksmipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Low: 21% Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,
Dhaka, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj Others: 27% Potato, Mustard, Grasspea,
and Barisal. Chickpea, Winter vegetables
20. Eastern Surma- Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj and 4622 km2 Medium high: 25% Medium Medium Kharif: B. Aus+B. Aman, T.
r

Kushiyara Floodplain Habiganj. Medium low: 20% Aus, T. Aman

Low: 36% Rabi: Mustard, Country bean
Fo

Others: 19%
21. Sylhet Basin Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona, 4573 km2 Medium low: 19% High Medium to Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aus, T.
Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria. Low: 43% high Aman
Very low: 23% Rabi: Boro rice, Mustard,
Others: 15% Grasspea

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com

 Name of the AEZs Location Extent Land type Organic Fertility Suitable crops
matter level
content
22. Northern and Eastern Sherpur, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Sylhet, 4038 km2 High: 33% Medium Low to Kharif: T. Aus, T. Aman, Jute
Piedmont Plains Moulivibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria Medium high: 31% medium Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,
and Comilla Medium low: 16% Mustard, Potato, Grasspea,
Others: 80% Black gram

ly
23. Chittagong Costal Plains Feni, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar 3720 km2 High: 17% Low Medium Kharif: T. Aus, T. Aman, Taro
Medium high: 43% Rabi: Boro rice, Potato,
Medium low: 13% Mustard, Tomato, Cowpea,

on
Others: 27% Brinjal, Radish, Country bean,
This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

Yard long bean

24. St. Martin’s Coral Island St. Martin’s Island 8 km2 High: 33% Medium Low Kharif: B. Aman, T. Aman
Medium high: 63% to low Rabi: Grasspea, Onion, Garlic,
Others: 4% Cucurbits

ts
25. Level Barind Tract Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, Bogra, 5049 km2 High: 30% Low Low Kharif: T. Aman, Sugarcane,
Naogaon, Sirajganj and Natore Medium high: 55% Maize
Others: 15% Rabi: Sugarcane + Potato,

en
Maize, Mustard, Wheat,
Tomato, Onion, Cabbage
26. High Barind Tract Rajshahi, Nawabganj and Naogaon 1600 km2 High: 93% Low Low Kharif: T. Aus, T. Aman,
Others: 7% Sugarcane, Maize

ud
Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,
Sugarcane +
Cabbage/Cauliflower, Maize,
Mustard, Potato, Chickpea,
st
Black gram, Lentil, Ladies
finger
27. North Eastern Barind Dinajpur, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Joypurhat 1079 km2 High: 36% Low Low Kharif: T. Aus, T. Aman,
Tract and Bogra Medium high: 56% Sugarcane, Jute, Sesame
r

Others: 8% Rabi: Boro rice, Wheat,

Sugarcane + Potato, Maize,
Fo

Mustard, Black gram,

Cabbage, Cauliflower
28. Madhupur Tract Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, 4244 km2 High: 56% Low Low Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman, Jute,
Tangail, Mymensingh and Kishoreganj Medium high: 18% Sugarcane, Green manures
Others: 26% Rabi: Boro rice, Sugarcane +

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com

 Name of the AEZs Location Extent Land type Organic Fertility Suitable crops
matter level
content
Lentil/Mungbean, Mustard,
Chickpea
29. Northern and Eastern Khagrachhari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, 18172 km2 High: 92% Low Low Kharif: B. Aus, T. Aman,
Hills Bandarban, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Others: 8% Jhum cultivation

ly
Habiganj and Moulivibazar Rabi: Boro rice, Potato, Sweet
potato, Cucumber, Sweet gourd,
Snake gourd, Bitter gourd,

on
Ridge gourd, Brinjal, Country
This Hand-out is not an alternative of class lectures or books

bean, Coriander
30. Akhaura Terrace Brahmanbaria district and minor areas in 113 km2 High: 11% Low Low Kharif: T. Aus, T. Aman, Jute,
Habiganj district Medium high: 10% Sugarcane + Turmeric
Medium low: 15% Rabi: Boro Rice, Wheat,

ts
Others: 64% Mustard, Potato
T. — Transplanting; B. — Broadcasting

en
Source:
1. FAO/UNDP, Land Resources Appraisal of Bangladesh for Agricultural Development Report 2: Agroecological Regions of Bangladesh,
FAO/UNDP, 1988

ud
2. BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council). 2005. Fertilizer Recommendation Guide. Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Council, Dhaka.
3. we, G, Avi, wm (1997)| g„wËKv I mvi e¨envi mycvwikgvjv| evsjv‡`k K…wl M‡elYv KvDwÝj, dvg©‡MU, XvKv|
st
r
Fo

Mirza Hasanuzzaman. www.hasanuzzaman.webs.com