Mst. Mithila Khatun

Bangladesh is an agricultural country. Our national income and a significant portion of economic growth depend on the rise and fall of agricultural production. More than 80% of the population relies directly or indirectly on agriculture. However, due to unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation, agricultural land is decreasing at an alarming rate, threatening food security and severely impacting the environment.

Bangladesh, the world’s largest delta, is naturally blessed with fertile soil highly suitable for crop cultivation. Unfortunately, natural disasters, unplanned urbanisation, and industrialisation are shrinking agricultural land day by day. The time is not far when, despite having enough money, there will be no land left for paddy cultivation.

Once, vast fields stretching to the horizon added to the natural beauty of rural Bangladesh. However, as a consequence of unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation, such sights have become rare. Additionally, riverbank erosion and floods are major contributors to land loss.

In recent years, numerous mills, factories, and brick kilns have been established in rural areas. These not only occupy valuable agricultural land but also degrade the surrounding environment. Similarly, digging ponds for fish farming further reduces arable land. As a result, cultivable land is steadily decreasing.

This loss of land is accompanied by the pollution of essential environmental elements such as air, water, and soil. Agriculture, the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, employs a large portion of the population. As arable land decreases, food production declines, forcing many people to migrate to cities in search of work. This population shift puts immense pressure on urban areas, severely affecting their environment.

According to recent demographic studies, Bangladesh’s population grows by 2-3 million annually. However, meeting the growing food demand is becoming increasingly difficult. As a result, the country must import a significant amount of food each year. A report from the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ministry states that approximately 69,000 acres of agricultural land are converted to non-agricultural uses annually. In 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that Bangladesh imported 10.5 million tons of food, a figure that increased by 11.2% in 2022. This highlights the growing gap between food production and demand.

To address these issues, the government must take effective steps and raise public awareness. Cultivable land should not be used for building roads, educational institutions, or other structures. Instead, barren and elevated land should be utilized for such purposes. The use of fertile soil from croplands for brick-making must be prohibited, and the adoption of cement blocks should be promoted as an alternative. Advanced technologies, such as textile barriers, artificial barriers, and dressing techniques, should be employed to prevent river erosion and protect agricultural land. Additionally, multi-story buildings can be constructed to accommodate the growing population without using additional land.

Strict laws must be enacted and enforced to prevent the excavation of land for pond construction, unplanned industrial establishments, and the misuse of fertile soil. The chars emerging in large rivers can be utilized for agriculture to address the food production shortfall.

Agricultural land is the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. Failing to protect it will severely harm biodiversity and the environment. Therefore, to ensure environmental sustainability, economic stability, and food security for future generations, effective measures must be taken immediately to protect and preserve agricultural land.

The writer is a, Student, The Department of Sociology, Government Azizul Hoque College, Bogura.