Rice Economy of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in attaining near self-sufficiency in the production of rice. This paper traces the transformation of the rice economy of Bangladesh over the past two decades. It examines the factors behind the growth in rice production and the role of market-oriented policy reforms, particularly in respect of the liberalisation and privatisation of agricultural input markets. The paper argues in favour of strengthening the role of the private sector in input markets while emphasising larger allocations of public resources for agricultural research and water resource development.