Progga Das

The global food crisis and agricultural marketing challenges have emerged as complex and multidimensional problems. Population growth, climate change, resource limitations, and economic disparities have intensified these crises. Although Bangladesh is an agriculture-dependent country, its agricultural sector is currently facing various challenges.

According to a World Bank report, global food demand is expected to increase by 60% by 2050, but agricultural productivity is not growing at the same rate. The primary reasons behind this include climate change, shrinking agricultural land, rising costs of agricultural inputs, issues in food production and supply chains, and weaknesses in agricultural marketing systems.Farmers are not receiving fair prices for their produce, leading to losses, while consumers also suffer due to food shortages. Bangladesh frequently experiences natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and river erosion due to its geographical location. Experts predict that by 2050, food production in Bangladesh could decrease by up to 30% due to climate change.

Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasing soil salinity are negatively impacting agricultural production. Moreover, the country's growing population is rapidly reducing arable land. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, between 1976 and 2010, approximately 21% of cultivable land was lost. Unplanned urbanization and industrialization are worsening this crisis.

A particularly alarming issue is the rising cost of essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and irrigation. According to a Bangladesh Bank report, fertilizer prices have increased by 25% over the past five years, creating significant challenges for farmers. This has played a major role in reducing food production. Furthermore, a significant portion of domestically produced food is wasted due to inadequate transportation, storage, and processing facilities. As a result, Bangladesh has to rely heavily on food imports to meet demand.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, approximately 20-25% of the food produced in Bangladesh is wasted due to a lack of proper storage facilities. The country's government storage capacity is only 1.9 million tons, which is insufficient compared to total food production.One of the biggest challenges in agricultural production and marketing is the dominance of middlemen. In Bangladesh's agricultural marketing system, intermediaries hold excessive power. Farmers receive only 30-40% of the market price for their produce, while consumers are forced to buy agricultural products at inflated prices due to middlemen’s manipulation.

If this situation persists, Bangladesh could face a severe food crisis.To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to promote climate-resilient crops, organic farming, and modern irrigation systems. Building cold storage and modern warehouses is necessary. Farmers should be directly connected with consumers. Establishing e-commerce platforms for farmers and implementing direct marketing systems through public-private partnerships is essential. Additionally, providing farmers with easy-access loans, increasing subsidies, and ensuring reasonable prices for seeds and fertilizers are vital measures.

Despite these challenges, the youth of Bangladesh represent a beacon of hope. Today's young generation has the potential to bring revolutionary changes to the food crisis and agricultural marketing system through proper planning and technological innovation. In developed countries, drones are used to monitor crop health. If the youth take the initiative, similar technologies can be introduced in Bangladesh. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and internet-based farming systems can be developed to ensure the optimal use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.Young people can form volunteer groups to train and assist farmers while providing guidance on the use of advanced machinery, which would increase agricultural productivity. Furthermore, startups can introduce automated irrigation systems, soil testing services, and digital agricultural marketplaces for farmers. These measures could bring groundbreaking transformations in the agricultural sector.

Young entrepreneurs can invest in agriculture, benefiting farmers and increasing food production.A key step in this process is expanding higher education opportunities in agricultural technology research and training. Young people should engage in agricultural research to develop new farming technologies, tools, and cultivation methods. Universities should introduce "Agricultural Entrepreneurship" courses to encourage students to consider agriculture as a viable career. Active participation of the youth in agriculture, whether directly or indirectly, can significantly advance the sector.Bangladesh's agricultural sector stands at a crucial turning point, where survival depends on the adoption of modern technology and innovation.

The most powerful weapon to tackle this crisis is the active involvement of young people. With the integration of information technology, digital agricultural marketing, smart farming, and improved storage and export systems, the youth can effectively address food security and agricultural marketing challenges.Now is the time to engage young people in the agricultural sector so that they do not merely seek jobs but also become entrepreneurs, creating new employment opportunities and leading the country toward food security.

The future of agriculture lies in the hands of the youth, combining leadership with modern technology. Through coordinated efforts from the government, farmers, agricultural organizations, and especially the young generation, Bangladesh can overcome the food crisis and agricultural marketing challenges, achieving self-sufficiency in food production. This would contribute to national development and strengthen the country's economy.

The writer is a, Student, Department of Economics Eden Mohila College