Lesson 1/55 min
Agriculture basics and the agriculture census
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy and employs the largest number of people. It also takes the biggest share of the country's water. Barishal is called the “granary of Bengal”.
Seasons and crops
- Summer crops = kharif crops; winter crops = rabi crops
- Three harvest seasons: bhadoi, haimantik and rabi
- Best soil for cultivation: loam (do-ansh)
- Cultivated land per person: 0.15 acre
Agriculture census
| Year | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Pakistan period; the only one before independence (sample basis) |
| 1977 | First census of independent Bangladesh |
| 1983-84 | Second census of independent Bangladesh |
| 1996 | Third census of independent Bangladesh |
| 2008 | Fourth census of independent Bangladesh |
| 2019 | 9 to 20 June 2019; supported by FAO; slogan: “Make the agriculture census a success, build a prosperous Bangladesh” |
Census in brief
- Six in all: 1960, 1977, 1983-84, 1996, 2008, 2019
- Five in independent Bangladesh; one before independence
- Three subjects covered: crops, fisheries and livestock
- Planned roughly every 10 years
Watch out: Some books mention only 4 censuses, which is old information. BBS counts the 2019 census as the sixth. Exam point: no agriculture census was held in 2015 (43rd BCS).
Key facts
- Largest agricultural garden: Kashimpur, Gazipur
- Largest agricultural farm: Dattanagar in Maheshpur, Jhenaidah
- Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC): at Joydebpur, Gazipur; the main government seed producer
- Swarna (organic fertiliser): invented by Dr. Syed Abdul Khalek in 1987
- The organic-fertiliser spreading machine was invented by Professor A.T.M. Ziauddin
- Land tax is waived on farmland up to 25 bigha
- The government approached Senegal, Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana to lease farmland
- Flower capital: Gadkhali in Jhikargachha upazila, Jashore
- National Agriculture Day: 1 Agrahayan (given in both books)
Jum cultivation
- Hill-area shifting cultivation; most common in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari
- Hill communities do jum cultivation twice a year
- The alternative method: SALT
Check yourself
When was the first agriculture census of independent Bangladesh held?
At a glance
- 1
Bangladesh has held 6 agriculture censuses: 1960, 1977, 1983-84, 1996, 2008 and 2019. The first in independent Bangladesh was 1977.
- 2
The 2019 census ran from 9 to 20 June, with FAO support, and covered crops, fisheries and livestock.
- 3
Barishal is the “granary of Bengal”; summer crops are kharif, winter crops are rabi.
- 4
Swarna organic fertiliser was invented by Dr. Syed Abdul Khalek (1987).
- 5
Largest agricultural garden: Kashimpur (Gazipur); largest farm: Dattanagar (Maheshpur, Jhenaidah).
- 6
Jum cultivation is done in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari; the flower capital is Gadkhali (Jhikargachha, Jashore).