Economy of Bangladesh: Agriculture

Showing posts with label Agriculture. Show all posts

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Jute contributes 4.68pc in export earnings

http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/finance/31499-jute-contributes-468pc-in-export-earnings.html
Jute contributes 4.68pc in export earnings
STAFF REPORTER
DHAKA JAN 27: Jute will regain its earlier glory as it is becoming popular globally, the speakers said today at the opening session of International Jute fair. “Jute sector is contributing 4.68 per cent in export earning last fiscal year and two per cent increase during last two years,” said secretary of Textiles and Jute ministry Ashraful Moqbul, adding “Though its contribution is not notable at present like the 1960′s but there is no scope to deny its contribution in national economy.”
He was speaking as the chief guest at the opening session of the fair jointly organised by International Jute Study Group (IJSG) and National Jute Board (NJB) of India with collaboration European Union (EU) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Among others, executive director of Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) Khandaker Mokhlesur Rahman, secretary of NJB Atri Bhattacharya, first secretary of EU Andrew Barnard and secretary of IJSG Bhupendra Sigh addressed the session.
Jute will be one of the most important cash crop in coming days due to the automobile sector around the world are using jute products, Ashraful said.
He further said, jute is versatile fibre and environment friendly so its use increasing entirely which is good signs for the jute sector of the Bangladesh and India . Both India and Bangladesh will be benefited if joint initiate to promote the diversification of jute, secretary of Textiles and Jute added.
First secretary of EU Andrew Barnard said at least 40 million farmers of Bangladesh would be benefited directly from this sector and it had a huge prosperity.
Bangladesh is producing quality jute products that can secure market in Europe countries, he said.
He also said that Bangladesh earned US $ 140 million from raw jute export and $ 47 million from jute products.
The fair will open form 9 am to 9 pm started from today (January 27) and continue till January 29.

AWD irrigation can save 30 p.c underground water: Experts

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=157916&date=2011-01-28
AWD irrigation can save 30 p.c underground water: Experts

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation. Source: http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/Watermanagement/index.php/coping-with-water-scarcity/alternate-wetting-and-drying-awd

RANGPUR, Jan 28 (BSS) – Agri-scientists and experts have said that popularization and mass adoption of Alternate Drying and Wetting (AWD) irrigation technology in Boro farming can save 30 percent underground water.
Mass applications of the technology can reduce five number irrigations compared to the farmers’ general practice, reduce 30 litres diesel consumption per hectare for irrigation, and produce 500 kg more paddy per hectare.
They said that the country would be benefited by about Taka 6,000 crore annually by adopting the AWD technology for farming Boro in 4.85 million hectares land only for reduced irrigation costs and increased paddy yields in addition to saving huge water.
The ecology, environment, bio- diversity would be improved with retardation in the desertification process as 30 percent less water would be lifted for irrigation purposes every year saving its underground reserve.
Liaison Scientist of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for Bangladesh and former Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Dr M A Hamid Miah recently narrated BSS about the AWD technology.
Rice scientist Dr MA Mazid said that efforts of the agri- related departments and research organisations are continuing to popularize the technology among the farmers.
Principal Scientific Officer of BRRI and its Rangpur Station Chief Dr Gous Ali narrated the ongoing and expanding field level AWD activities to popularize the easiest technology.
They said that the farmers generally consume 3,000 to 5,000 litres irrigated waters to produce one kilogram paddy under different topographical locations, when the paddy plants hardly need 1,500 to 2,000 litres for the same if AWD technology was used.
Dr Hamid Miah said that AWD is a simplest technology of determining irrigation times in Boro fields and it requires a 25 cm long PVC pipe or hollow bamboo pieces or even waste bottles of cold drinks like coco cola etc.
Fifteen cm on one side of the pipe is perforated for easy horizontal movement of water and it is to be installed vertically with its perforated portion under the ground level when the soil within the pipe is scoped out so that soil at the lower end of the pipe is visible.
The farmers should irrigate fields in such a way that water does not overtop the imperforated portions, watch leaching down of water through the pipes, and irrigate when the soil at the bottom of the pipes will be visible with no water standing on the soil hat.
If the AWD were adopted for farming Boro in 48.5 lakh hectares during this season, the country would get benefit of Taka 6,000 crore from additional paddy productions, less use of diesel and electricity alone, the scientists and experts said.
Dr Mazid today told BSS that expanded use of AWD would also allow lifting 30 percent less underground waters annually for irrigation purposes to increase its reserves and get an uncountable national benefit amid the formidable threats of climate changes.
They suggested for ensuring mass use of AWD technology through coordinated efforts of all for availing its full advantages through additional paddy productions and uncountable benefits by saving huge underground waters.

Jute goods exports to India come to a halt

Jute goods exports to India come to a halt
Star Business Report

Nearly 300 trucks carrying Bangladeshi jute goods to India had to come back from Benapole after the Indian customs authorities abruptly imposed 14 percent duties on products from natural fibre, officials and traders said.

Consignments of jute goods, which had been enjoying duty exemption since 2004, weighing hundreds of tonnes were stuck in Benapole and Indian port Petrapole, since January 18, said businessmen and government officials.

Jute bags weighing 1,500 tonnes worth Tk 11.45 crore, jute carpeting bags weighing 502 tonnes worth Tk 49.75 lakh and jute yarns weighing 400 tonnes worth Tk 2.85 crore could not be exported to India in 23 consignments between January 18-19.

Mushfiqur Rahman, assistant commissioner of customs at Benapole, said Bangladesh could not export jute bags, carpeting cloth bags and hessian after India imposed 14 percent duties on the items.

Buro Dada, manager of Kolkata-based importer JK Associates, said no consignment of jute products from Bangladesh reached India in the last two days.

Traders said the duties would make Bangladeshi jute goods, which has seen a revival recently thanks to rising global demand for the natural fibre, uncompetitive.

An Indian importer in an email to Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) said: “Sudden imposition of around 14 percent duty on imported jute goods from Bangladesh is unfair. Law of the country says that no duty shall be imposed on imported materials, which is not paid by Indian manufacturers.”

No Indian mills or manufacturers have to pay such duty, and it is only imported jute goods from Bangladesh, which have to bear this burden, he said.

Since January 18, Petrapole customs have claimed that they have received a directive from higher authorities to collect the excise duty against imports of jute goods from Bangladesh.

The new duty structure includes 8 percent countervailing duty (CVD), 4 percent additional CVD and other charges of 2 percent, totalling to 14 percent of the invoice value.

A Barik Khan, secretary of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association, said about 150 trucks carrying over 1,500 tonnes of jute goods worth Tk 11.50 crore were stuck at Benapole. “We had to take them back as no Indian importer will profit by paying 14 percent duty.”

He said Indian importers have informed them that they would not be able to take in products with such high duties. As a result, all agreements between Bangladeshi exporters and Indian importers will fall to bits.

Khan said the country’s jute goods producers will face serious problems if the issue is not settled immediately. “Hundreds of products will lie unsold in the mills, meaning we will not be able to pay wages to the workers and repay bank loans. It may even create unrest inside and outside the jute mills,” he warned.

GL Modi, another exporter, accused Indian Jute Mills Association of creating the current situation. “Two top officials of the association have long been trying to convince the government to ban imports of jute goods from Bangladesh. Our Indian agents have informed us about the matter.”

Uttara Jute and Fibre Ltd and Nobarun Jute Mill Ltd, owned by GL Modi had already taken back eight trucks full of jute goods from Benapole after Indian importers instructed them to do so fearing losses following imposition of duties.Others also followed suit.

Of them, the state-run BJMC recalled 50 to 60 trucks carrying jute goods, said its chairman TD Mitra. Only a handful of consignments, which entered the Indian side on Tuesday, could pass on in the last coupe of days, said Modi.

Local exporters yesterday met the commerce minister, seeking immediate steps from the government. They also met the jute minister on Wednesday.

A commerce ministry official said the minister already instructed the officials to find ways to address the issue. “We have to move forward according to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules,” he said.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Govt targets to double jute production in 2011-12 season

http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/business/5971.html
Govt targets to double jute production in 2011-12 season
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka
Inspired by the healthy production trend of jute as well as its better price and multipurpose use, the government is eying for a record production target of jute in the 2011-12 season.
In the upcoming season, some 7.5 lakh hectares of land would be brought under jute cultivation in the country aiming at producing 87.37 lakh bales, said Agriculture Information Service director Nazrul Islam. Per hectare production of jute has been projected at 10.6 bales.
The production target of jute in the upcoming season has been doubled as the farmers are now more encouraged on jute cultivation due to its rising demand as well as its increasing trend of price, he told the UNB.
The AIS director said that in the current season (2010-11), some 4.8 lakh hectares of land were brought under jute cultivation with a production of 50.76 lakh bales. Per hectare yield was 10.58 bales.
In the 2009-10 season, jute production was 49.39 lakh bales as some 4.56 lakh hectares of land were brought under cultivation. Per hectare yield was 10.83 bales.
Nazrul Islam informed that in the current fiscal, some 15 lakh farmers were provided with ribbon retting device worth Tk 30 crore and the method gained popularity among the farmers.
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute in cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Extension imparted training to the farmers on the use of ribbon retting on limited water.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, jute production ranged between 40-50 lakh bales from fiscal 2004-05 to 2008-09. The production of jute was 40.35 lakh bales in 2004-05 fiscal, 46.19 lakh bales in 2005-06 fiscal, 48.84 lakh bales in 2006-07 fiscal, 46.22 lakh bales in 2007-08 fiscal and 46.78 lakh bales in 2008-09.
The local jute industry, employing about 1,50,000 workers, is now the second largest export earner after RMG.
In fiscal 2009-10, the jute sector logged 76 per cent higher earnings at $736 million (Tk 5,225 crore) than the previous year and the demand remains buoyant in the current fiscal.
In the first six months of the current fiscal (July-December), export of jute and jute goods totalled $548.66 million, showing a 58.33 per cent rise. Raw jute exports fetched $184.66 million, jute yarn and twine $248.40 million, jute sack and jute bag $92.67 million while other jute products $22.93 million.
The jute sector in the country where 40 lakh farmers are engaged is also set to reap the benefits of the packaging law passed last year.
The law made it mandatory for certain percentage of food items and fertilizers to be packaged with jute materials to give a boost to the industry and cut the use of environmentally-harmful polypropylene bags.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Jute pulls in investors

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169264
Jute pulls in investors

Sohel Parvez
The jute industry sees a surge in investment, as nearly a dozen companies are set to spin out jute goods and value-added items, inspired by the rising global demand for green products.
Local business conglomerate Partex Holdings, battery maker Panna Group and Aftab Group, and some shrimp processing firms are likely to invest hundreds of crores of taka in the resurgent jute industry.
At least eight new players, concentrating on yarn or jute goods, signed up to associations such as Bangladesh Jute Mills Association and Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association. Some are modernising their factories to increase production.
The new entrepreneurs are likely to create thousands of jobs and increase production capacity.
But a sudden increase in production capacity might spark a price war for exports, warned the industry insiders. Manufacturing more diverse products from jute is the need of the moment, they added.
At the same time, crop output has to be increased to meet the requirements of an increasing number of factories emerging to exploit demand on the international market.
Officials of Partex, Panna and Aftab said they would initially make yarn to exploit demand for carpets and jute-fabrics. But Partex and Aftab want to diversify production to make denim fabrics and home textiles.
“We see a new window of opportunity for exporting jute goods. The world market is excited about jute as people look for eco-friendly products,” said Rubel Aziz, managing director of Partex Jute Mills. “We want to enter the market with our golden fibre,” he said.
With a daily production capacity of 80 tonnes of yarn, Partex Jute Mills in Faridpur is likely to begin operation around mid-year. Partex will invest about Tk 140 crore for its yarn and twine factory.
“Our goal is to make value-added jute goods. We aim to make denim fabrics from jute and ladies handbags to market globally,” said Aziz.
He urged the government to ban raw jute exports to help Bangladeshi manufacturers increase their value-added jute goods volume for international markets.
The latest investment frenzy in the jute sector occurs at a time when the sector beat its longstanding competitor frozen foods in export earnings.
The local jute industry, employing about 150,000 workers, is now the second largest export earner after clothing, thanks to sustained demand.
In fiscal 2009-10, the sector logged 76 percent higher earnings at $736 million (Tk 5,225 crore) than the previous year, which remains buoyant in the current fiscal year.
The sector where 40 lakh farmers are involved is also set to reap the benefits of the packing law passed last year. The law made it mandatory to pack certain percentage of food items and fertilisers with jute to boost the industry and cut the use of environmentally-harmful polypropylene bags.
Such prospects on local and international markets also lured investors like Panna Group, according to its Deputy Managing Director Ramendra Nath Basak.
Panna Group took a Tk 160 crore project to set up its concern Altu Khan Jute Mills at Madhukhali in Faridpur, a major jute-growing belt. The mill will produce 60 tonnes of yarn a day and Hessian sacks. It is likely to start production in April, creating jobs for nearly 3,000 people, said Basak.
Kamrul Hasan, operative director of Aftab Jute Mills, said it is a pity that jute did not receive due attention in the past, despite immense prospects.
“Petrochemicals will be exhausted over time. But the demand for jute will continue as long as we can grow it. Many European countries are discouraging use of synthetic bags to protect the environment,” he said.
“Everything about jute is positive. It is a versatile product. If we can showcase it properly, we will be able to tap the global market,” said Hasan of Aftab Jute Mills, which aims to kick off operations this year to spin out 15 tonnes of yarn a day.
“We will begin with yarn. But our goal is to make diverse products from jute including shopping bags and home textiles,” he said.
“It will not be wise to stay content with yarn making only, because the market for yarn is almost saturated and prices will fall as soon as supplies surpass demands,” Hasan warned.
Kazi Shahnewaz, owner of a frozen fish processing plant in Khulna, has recently signed up to make twines and sacks from jute. The factory, Shahnewaz said, is likely to begin production about mid-year with 2,000 people working each shift.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Vegetables output high in B’baria

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=122012&date=2011-01-06
Vegetables output high in B’baria

Our Correspondent
BRAHMANBARIA, Jan 5: Use of modern technology and quick compost has brought a breakthrough in production of seasonal vegetables in nine upazilas of the district, sources said.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), farmers are getting a huge production of vegetables in the current season.
The DAE officials said, favourable climate and use of quick-compost and high yielding variety (HYV) of seeds have made it possible.
A good number of educated and unemployed youths of the district have got involved in the cultivation process and reaping profits.
But the growers are deprived of making expected profit due to the absence of proper marketing channels.
Now, brinjal is being sold at Tk35 per kg, karola at Tk 30, green banana at Tk25 per four, borbati at Tk35 per kg, gourd at Tk26 to Tk32 per piece, papaya at Tk25 per kg, ladies finger at Tk30 per kg, chichinga at Tk 32, cucumber at Tk 20, jhinga at Tk30, pui shak at Tk 10 per kg, lal shak at Tk10 per kg and lemon at Tk 20 per four respectively.
When asked, DAE Deputy Director Md Mosarof Hossain said, “We have brought 3560 hectares of land in nine upazilas of the district under seasonal vegetable cultivation programme in the current season.”

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A sweet year for agriculture

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=168780
A sweet year for agriculture

The year 2010 was a good year for farmers in terms of rice prices, production and input supply. Photo: STAR

Sohel Parvez
With some small huts on both sides, the mud walkway enters into a ripening paddy field that makes a landscape of a vast golden carpet with irregular green spots.
The colourful fabric ends with greenery three-four kilometres down the horizon.
Nearby, a small river sits quiet and its water mirrors the flying white clouds, the standing paddy field.
The environment is silent. No human movement is seen as farmers have already returned home for a break. The crops’ mates — winter birds, kingfisher and heron — fly around for a prey.
It was the scene of a paddy field on the backyards of a village in Bagerhat district in late November last year.
Now the fresh-grown rice is on the way to farmers’ yards, mills, markets and finally to the kitchens of Bangladeshis, who take rice as staple food.
And farmers are celebrating the new rice that offers them a cushion as well as a good price incentive.
The hard work and investment the growers devoted in the fields pay off as rice prices are on the rise in the last one year, influenced by factors such as increase in demand for population growth, government procurement price and soaring prices of grains on the global market.
The price of coarse rice, now as low as Tk 35 per kilogram in the city, offers surplus growers a bounty. At the same time, it gives small growers and tenants, who have harvested a good crop, a cushion for a certain period.
The farmers, especially rice producers, are likely to enjoy the benefit of high prices in the next couple of months until a prospect of good harvest of boro appears on the horizon.
Growers now pass busy days to prepare the boro seedbeds, the biggest rice crop, hoping for another good year.
“The 2010 has been a better year for us as a whole in terms of rice price, production and input supply,” said ASM Sishnabi Mandal, a farmer in Dinajpur, with a happy voice over phone.
“Input such as fertiliser was available and production was fine due to favourable weather,” said Mandal who expects to bag 20 percent higher margin than a year earlier.
In 2010, the crop sector register-ed a rise in production, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
Although questions on the validity of rice output estimate were raised by some quarters, the statistical agency found an increment in aman rice and boro crop production in 2009 and 2010 at 1.22 crore tonnes and 1.80 crore tonnes respectively.
Farmers received high prices for their produce such as jute, onion and most vegetables, except for losses in the wake of price fall amid an output glut of potato.
Shohel Khandoker, a medium farmer at Rangpur, said he had counted huge losses due to slump in potato prices. “But it is good that prices of rice are higher,” he said. “Overall, it was a good year for us.”
Although soaring prices of food bite low and fixed income group, for Khandoker and his peers, a good price of agricultural produce becomes an incentive to continue investing to augment income.
This year, an increased income from farming has allowed majority of 1.47 crore farm households in rural areas to spend more and take more active part in accelerating the pace of domestic consumption for the economy, growing by over 5 percent a year.
These all took place at a time when the government maintained policy support to boost agriculture, especially crop sector, to ensure the country’s self-sufficiency.
In 2010, the government raised the procurement prices of paddy and rice, which influence the market price. It also substantially reduced prices of non-urea fertilisers — TSP, MoP and DAP.
“It was a major development for agriculture. It has encouraged balanced use of fertiliser needed to maintain soil health,” said M Asaduzzaman, research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
Along with reduced price and increased availability of fertiliser, small and marginal farmers got subsidy support for diesel-based irrigation.
At the same time, the government still is focusing on increased disbursement of agricultural loan and surface water irrigation.
Efforts were seen to introduce new rice seed varieties that are climate-tolerant.
The government released four new rice seeds varieties for aman season last year — submergence tolerant BR-51, BR-52 and anti-saline but short duration varieties: BR-53 and BR-54.
But efforts to ensure faster extension of the newly released seeds were not noteworthy, insiders said.
Analysts however say initiatives taken to boost crop sector will leave a positive impact in the long run.
An increased investment in research and extension as well as move to retain agriculture scientists are needed to face such challenges, as the climate changes start affecting agriculture.
“Investment in research and extension remains low. A substantial increase in the areas is very important to develop and expand stress tolerant seeds to fight against any change in climate,” said Asaduzzaman.
Wais Kabir, executive chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, said the year 2010 saw some ground preparations for developing the agriculture sector.
“What we saw that there were some attempts for overall development of agriculture. At the same time, the farm sector has passed through a tough scrutiny by the policymakers.”
“Tracking and monitoring are very important for agriculture. And an increase in surveillance will bring something good for the growers and the sector as a whole.”

85,917 tonnes of aromatic rice produced in Rangpur zone

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=121792&date=2011-01-04
85,917 tonnes of aromatic rice produced in Rangpur zone

RANGPUR, Jan 3 (BSS): The farmers produced an all-time record quantity of 85,917 tonnes aromatic rice in eight districts under Rangpur Agriculture Zone (RAZ) during the just ended T-Aman season, officials said today.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the farmers had brought record 46,816 hectares under aromatic rice farming this time and they cultivated the same on only 29,498 hectares last season in the zone.
The enthusiastic farmers cultivated aromatic rice this time on more land as its farming has been gaining increased popularity because of huge demand and lucrative market prices.
The DAE, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), research organisations and some NGOs have also been effectively working to popularise and expand the farming of aromatic rice.
The officials expected brighter prospects of increased aromatic rice farming and its exports in future, as the farmers are being provided with the quality seeds, inputs and latest technologies.
DAE’s additional director of RAZ Mohsin Ali told the news agency that the farmers have produced 85,917 tonnes of aromatic rice from 46,816 hectares and got an average yield rate of 1.835 tonnes of aromatic rice per hectare this season.
The farmers cultivated aromatic variety BRRI Dhan 34 on 26,995 hectares, Kataribhog on 14,117, Badshabhog on 2,354, Kalijira on 2,065, Nenia on 1,072 and Bolder variety aromatic rice on 800 hectares land this season in the zone.
They also cultivated Basmati on 570 hectares, Chinigura on 498, Dhekibhog on 370, Tilkapur on 524, Zirashail on 215, Begunbichi on 172 and Rasulbhog, Uknimadhu, Dulabhog varieties on more 190 hectares, he said.
Rice scientist Dr MA Mazid predicted enormous prospects for all varieties of aromatic rice and added that the medium low- land is suitable for its large-scale and commercial production through making necessary seeds easily available.
He urged for an increased cultivation of high yielding varieties aromatic rice suitable for the topographic and climatic conditions in the region as the Basmati, Chinigura, Kalijira and BRRI Dhan 34 being produced here are of international standards.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bangladeshi rice millers find Cambodian offer lucrative

Kazi Azizul Islam
Bangladeshi analysts and rice millers appreciated Cambodia’s offer to set up milling units in that rice surplus country which could help rice supply to the local market as well as open up business opportunities for local businessmen.
They said that apart from an investment opportunity in Cambodia, it would ensure supply of milled rice to the home country.
The rice millers and experts suggested the government should actively follow up on the Cambodian proposal and establish long-term business and investment relations with that country.
The proposal was forwarded by Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to his Bangladeshi counterpart Dipu Moni, who ended her two-day Cambodia visit on Monday.
‘We have a surplus in rice although we don’t have the required number of rice mills [to process it]… so we want Bangladesh to invest in setting up rice mills. Because we do not have the rice mills our farmers are forced to sell their rice to Vietnam and Thailand,’ Namhong was quoted to have told Dipu Moni.
Dipu Moni’s visit was designed to arrange import of at least two lakh tonnes of Cambodian rice as the government here is worried at the rising price of rice, the country’s staple food.
‘The Cambodian proposal for setting up rice mills there by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs has huge potentials for Bangladesh,’ said Mahabub Hossain, executive director of BRAC.
Hossain, a respected economist, observed that Bangladeshi private sector millers have attained much expertise to set up units aboard and yield profits.
The government should actively follow up on the Cambodian proposal that augers well for Bangladesh, said Hossain. ‘The government should link Bangladeshi private sector millers with Cambodian stakeholders,’ he added.
He however advised that before local rice millers set up units in Cambodia, there should be an accord that Bangladesh would have privilege in getting supply of rice from that country.
Hossian hoped that Cambodian rice yield might also increase further if Bangladesh shares its successful experience in extension of irrigation.
With eight million tonnes of rice output, Cambodia has nearly four million tonnes of surplus for export.
But, due to poor capacity of milling facilities in Cambodia, they sell more than three-fourth of the unhusked rice stocks to millers and importers from Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia at a relatively low price.
Hafez Belal, a rice miller of Bogra also thought the Cambodian offer was very much worthwhile.
‘Many Bangladeshi rice millers have enough technical and financial expertise to set up plants aboard and bring benefits back to their country,’ Belal said.
He suggested that government should help develop relations between Bangladeshi private sector rice importers and millers with the potential stakeholders in Cambodia.
Despite Bangladesh produces more than 30 million tones of paddy a year, declining arable lands due to growing urbanization and industrialization slowed down the growth of rice production in the country.
Moreover, even partial damage in rice crop by drought, floods and storm forces Bangladesh to import one to three million tonnes of milled rice in the event of such calamity.
Bangladesh for years has been relying on India for rice import procurements but trouble intensified as India for the last two or three years has been restricting export of grains.

Economy : Agriculture

Most Bangladeshis earn their livings directly or indirectly from agriculture. Rice and jute are the primary crops; wheat is assuming greater importance; and tea is grown in hilly regions of the northeast. Bangladesh's fertile soil and normally ample water supply yield three rice crops in many areas. Through better flood control and irrigation measures, more intensive use of fertilizers and high-yielding seed varieties, increased price incentives, and improved distribution and rural credit networks, Bangladesh's labor-intensive agricultural sector has achieved steady increases in foodgrain production.

Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture

Foodgrain production in 1992 was about 20 million metric tons, a 5% increase over the previous year. Rice is Bangladesh's principal crop, although yields per hectare are among the lowest in Asia. While rice output rose 3.2% in 1992, much recent growth in foodgrain output can be attributed to the irrigated spring crop, which has increased steadily due to the greater availability of fertilizer and irrigation equipment. Wheat production also is expected to rise from 900,000 to about 1 million metric tons in 1992. Jute, which historically has accounted for the bulk of Bangladesh's export receipts, faces an uncertain future due to competition from synthetic fiber substitutes. Fishing, especially for shrimp, has become an increasingly important source of export earnings.

Basic Information on Agriculture of Bangladesh

Area of Bangladesh	147570sq.km
Total population (January 1999)	128.1 million
GDP (1998-99)	755.73 billion Tk.
GDP Growth rate (1998-99)	5.2%
Agricultural Growth rate (1998-99)	5.0%
No. of Rural Household	17.83 million
No. of non-Farm Household	6.03 million
No. of Farm Household	11.80 million
No. of Agril. Labour Household	6.40 million
Small Household	80% (9.42 million)
Medium Household	17.50% (2.08) million)
Large Household	2.50% (0.3 million)
Cultivated Area	17.77 million acres
Cultivated Area per Household	1.5 acres
Cropping Intensity (1996-97)	174%
Irrigation Area	8.59 million acres

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Golden Harvest to go for expansion

Golden Harvest to go for expansion

Nisha Desai Biswal, third from left, USAID assistant administrator, and Rajeeb Samdani, fourth from left, managing director of Golden Harvest Agro Industries, pose with other high officials of the two organisations on a visit to Golden Harvest's factory in Gazipur yesterday. Photo: Golden Harvest

Star Business Report

Golden Harvest Agro Industries Ltd will go for expansion with an investment of $33 million by setting up collection centres, a cold storage chain and launching a new product line by the end of 2011.

“We have an expansion plan of $33 million,” said Rajeeb Samdani, managing director of the company, yesterday.

Samdani also said there is a huge demand for frozen and processed food in Bangladesh.

He was briefing Nisha Desai Biswal, USAID assistant administrator from its headquarters in Washington, USA, as Biswal visited the company’s factory in Gazipur.

Biswal, who was appointed by US President Barack Obama on July 2010, is now an official tour to Bangladesh. Golden Harvest is a USAID-PRICE partner project.

Samdani said they would set up collection centres for horticultural products to eliminate the post-harvest losses and intermediary costs.

The company will initially establish five collection centres at the most strategic points of Bangladesh to buy agro products directly from the farmers.

The official said such a move will reduce their production outlay because the costs associated with the middlemen will go down significantly.

The company will also set up a countrywide cold storage chain, covering six divisions. A central cold storage depot in Dhaka will link 24 storehouses and 15,000 refrigerators with retail outlets across the country.

The company that posted a Tk 35 crore turnover last year also plans to focus on ‘ready to eat’ products.

The official said 40-45 percent of the earnings came from exports.

“We want to satisfy our customers by providing ‘ready to eat’ foods at comparatively low prices, for example, at Tk 35 a meal,” said Samdani.

French fries, chicken nuggets, paratha, chicken burger patty, spring roll, fish fingers, vegetable samosa are some of the products that the company exports now.

It also plans a massive scale launch of these products on the local market, in line with the changing food habit in Bangladesh.

Chief Operating Officer of the company Mohius Samad Chowdhury said they will open 2,000 outlets across the country by next year to sell these food products.

The company will keep the prices of its ago products same round the year, said the official.

The products for export and the local market will be of same standards, he added.

Golden Harvest Agro Industry, which started its operations in May 2006, exports to Bhutan, UAE, Australia, UK, Spain, Belgium, Italy, US and Canada under the brand names of Golden Harvest and Shahjalal.

source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=162490

Golden Harvest to go for expansion

Golden Harvest to go for expansion