The largest employment sector in Bangladesh is the Agriculture sector. The economy of Bangladesh is primarily dependent on agriculture. Around 80 percent of the people of the country lives in rural areas. They are directly or indirectly engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities. A plurality of Bangladeshi peoples earns their living from agriculture. The performance of Bangladesh Agriculture sector has a vast impact on major macroeconomic objectives. These objectives are employment generation, poverty alleviation, human resources development, food security etc.
Bangladesh has the essential attributes for successful agriculture-based industries namely rich alluvial soil. It has a year-round frost-free environment, available water and an abundance of cheap labor. Increased cultivation of vegetables, spices and tropical fruits now grown in Bangladesh. These could supply raw materials to local agribusiness industries for both domestic and export markets. Principal seasonal crops and fruits of the country are Paddy, Jute, Wheat, Tobacco, Pulses, Oil seeds, Spices, Vegetables, Jack-fruit, Banana, Mango, Watermelon, Guava, Coconut, Pineapple etc. Bangladesh is now world's 3rd inland fish and vegetables producer.
Agro-Based business in Bangladesh:
The items generally traded domestically are mostly seasonal agro products like raw jute & jute goods, paddy & rice, wheat, oil seeds, pulses, onion, ginger, garlic, chilly, hides & skins, fish & fisheries products, poultry, various fruits and vegetables etc. The imported agro items are mainly foodstuffs such as garlic, onion, ginger etc and exportable agro products are jute & jute goods, hides & skins, fish, shrimps, prawns, fruits, vegetables etc. There are some other categories of agro-business like warehousing and cold storage for preservation of potatoes, vegetable & fruits etc.
Business and Investment opportunities in Agro sector:
- Fresh agro products production for local markets
- Agricultural products for export markets, including herbs, spices, nuts, and pulses
- Import various agro products
- Production of fertilizers and seeds
- Eco-friendly jute production (Sonali Bag & other jute products), supported by the jute technology development institute
- Aquaculture and Processed fish
- Fisheries & Hatcheries
- Halal food items
- Milk and dairy products
- Cold storage facilities for Potato, Vegetables & Fruits
- Canned juice and fruits
- Organic Food business in Bangladesh