Bangladesh agricultural officials called for reduced chemical dependency during a Dhaka policy forum organized by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, where experts warned that current farming methods threaten soil quality and public health while consuming three-quarters of the government's Tk24,000 crore agriculture subsidy. Foundation Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader said ecological approaches can maintain or boost production levels while Department of Agricultural Extension Director General SM Sohrab Uddin acknowledged that growers adopted excessive fertilizer applications to maximize harvests.
Keynote speaker Shaikh Tanveer Hossain calculated environmental and health damages from conventional practices at nearly 13 percent of national economic output. A Chuadanga farmer reported that switching methods increased his yields by half while cutting expenses by one quarter.
Participants urged authorities to revise national policies, simplify organic fertilizer registration, expand soil testing access and invest in compost infrastructure to support sustainable agriculture expansion.
Keynote speaker Shaikh Tanveer Hossain calculated environmental and health damages from conventional practices at nearly 13 percent of national economic output. A Chuadanga farmer reported that switching methods increased his yields by half while cutting expenses by one quarter.
Participants urged authorities to revise national policies, simplify organic fertilizer registration, expand soil testing access and invest in compost infrastructure to support sustainable agriculture expansion.
