Engaging youth in farming is key to the future food security of Bangladesh 

Photo 1: A youth local service provider (LSP) sows direct-seeded rice (DSR) using a two-wheel power tiller-operated seeder in Nilphamari, Bangladesh. Photo credit: Asad, IRRI

By Abdul Haque, Sharif Ahmed, and Humnath Bhandari

Bangladesh’s economy heavily relies on agriculture, with a significant portion of the population directly and indirectly dependent on it for their livelihoods. Agriculture contributes approximately 11% to the country’s GDP and is crucial to employment generation and food security. Despite its importance, the agricultural sector faces significant challenges due to climate change, rapid population growth, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the conversion of farmland for unplanned developments. These factors are increasing the pressure on food security.