Table of Contents

Abstract ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
Sustainable Development .......................................................................................................... 3
Sustainable Development and Bangladesh ........................................................................ 4
Challenges of Sustainable Development in Bangladesh ........................................... 4
National Sustainable Development Strategy ................................................................. 5
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)......................................................................... 5
Characteristics of sustainable agriculture ...................................................................... 6
Present status of sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh ............................................. 7
Issues / Constrains ....................................................................................................................... 7
Challenges in Agricultural Development ............................................................................ 8
Some Major Challenges........................................................................................................... 9
Environmental Challenges in Agriculture ................................................................... 10
The challenges for sustainable farming........................................................................ 11
Role of Government on sustainable agriculture ........................................................... 12
Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 12
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................... 13
References..................................................................................................................................... 14

Abstract
Sustainable development is a process for meeting human development goals while sustaining the
ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services
upon which the economy and society depend. While the modern concept of sustainable
development is derived most strongly from the 1987 Brundtland Report, it is rooted in earlier
ideas about sustainable forest management and twentieth century environmental concerns.
Sustainable development is one of the most discussed and desired things for last few decades in
Bangladesh and whole of the world. Economist, Development planners are trying to find out a
way to achieve sustainable development or make the development sustainable. But due to a lot of
challenges it is really tough to prepare and execute a proper plan for achieving sustainable
development.
This paper presents dimensions of agricultural sustainability as productivity, environmental
stability, economical profitability, and social and economic equity. This paper mainly focuses on
the major challenges for sustainable development in our country.

Introduction
Sustainable development is the organizing principle for sustaining finite resources necessary to
provide for the needs of future generations of life on the planet. It is a process that envisions a
desirable future state for human societies in which living conditions and resource-use continue to
meet human needs.
Sustainability can be defined as the practice of maintaining processes of productivity indefinitely
natural or human made by replacing resources used with resources of equal or greater value
without degrading or endangering natural biotic systems. Sustainable development ties together
concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social, political, and economic
challenges faced by humanity. Sustainability science is the study of the concepts of sustainable
development and environmental science.
Bangladesh agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of Independent War.
Crops productivity soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use,
specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production. These changes
allowed fewer farmers with reduced labour demands to produce the majority of the crops in
Bangladesh. Although these changes have many positive effects and reduced many risks in
farming, there have also been significant increased costs viz. top soil depletion, ground and
surface water contamination, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm
labours, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions
in rural communities. Necessity of Sustainable agriculture for present contest include i)

providing a more profitable farm income; ii) promoting environmental stewardship (protecting
and improving soil quality, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources, such as fuel and
synthetic fertilizers and pesticide and minimizing adverse impacts on safety, wildlife, water
quality another environmental resource iii) reducing loss of biodiversity and agricultural genetic
diversity. The progress of sustainable agriculture is not mentionable. Sustainable agriculture
appears in NGO levels as its ecological farming system. The government initiated some
programs with support from different aid agencies from very recent. Research on sustainable
agriculture was done very few in NGO level.

Sustainable Development
The concept sustainable development has a long history and it contains a much deeper
meaning than it appears. Sustainable development was used in the Brundtland Commission
report Our Common Future in 1987. In the report, the commission coined what has become the
most often-quoted definition of sustainable development: "development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
We are developing day by day. The effects of this development are high on the environment. Our
ecology is not so much strong to face these effects. The sustainable development means to find
out a reconciliation point of development and environment. Maintaining the development over
time is also sustainable development.
But what is sustainability? Sustainability is a function of social, economic, technological and
ecological themes. Important related concepts are 'strong' and 'weak' sustainability, deep ecology
and just sustainability. "Just sustainability" offers a socially conception of sustainability. Just
sustainability effectively addresses what has been called the 'equity deficit'
of environmental sustainability. It is the egalitarian conception of sustainable development". It
generates a more nuanced definition of sustainable development: the need to ensure a better
quality of life for all, now and into the future, in a just and equitable manner, whilst living within
the limits of supporting ecosystems.

The concept of sustainable development must be understood in terms of human needs, rights and
responsibility towards the environment as well as in terms of solidarity between generations
and between communities. Unless we keep this in mind too many people will persist in
maintaining that we should deal with poverty and growth first and then take a look at the
environment.
Sustainable development implies the fulfillment of several conditions: preserving the overall
balance, respect for the environment, and preventing the exhaustion of natural resources.

Reduced production of waste and the rationalization of production and energy consumption must
also be implemented. Sustainable development is presented as a more or less clean break from
other modes of development, which have led and are still leading to worrying social and
ecological damage on both a worldwide and a local scale. In order to be sustainable,
development must combine three main elements: fairness, protection of the environment, and
economic efficiency.

Sustainable Development and Bangladesh

Bangladesh agriculture has achieved significant structural changes over the past three and half
decades. Despite many problems and constraints a quiet agricultural revolution has taken place
which is still evolving in response to natural calamities, sociopolitical changes, population
growth, urbanization, new technology in agriculture and new opportunities in rural non
agriculture sector, commercialization and changes in macro policy and sector policy reforms
including market and trade liberalization and substantial reduction in public sector intervention
in agriculture.

Challenges of Sustainable Development in Bangladesh

The plan, strategies to achieve sustainable development in Bangladesh discussed in previous
chapter. Government has a plan and lots of supporting strategies too to achieve sustainable
development. But we have challenges in every sector of sustainable development. The challenges
of sustainable development in Bangladesh are described in this chapter.

Challenges are described based on respective sectors. The sectors are:

Agriculture and Rural Development

Industry
Energy Sector
Transport Sector
Human Resource Development
Urban Environment
Social Security and Protection
Environment, Natural Resource and Disaster Management
Good Governance
Population Sector
Economic Growth
Other Challenges

National Sustainable Development Strategy

Article 18 A: Protection and Improvement of Environment and Biodiversity, in the Constitution
of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, proclaims The state shall endeavor to protect and
improve the environment and to preserve and safeguard the natural resources, biodiversity,
wetlands, forest and wildlife for the present and future citizens. Sustainable development is thus
a constitutional obligation in Bangladesh.
The NSDS is based on the existing plans, policies and strategies; other elements of the NSDS
include participatory, political commitment and meeting international commitment. It is also
based on the globally accepted principles of sustainable development defined through- Rio
Declaration and Agenda 21, Johannesburg Declaration and Implementation Plan and
Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific.
The NSDS has addressed mainstreaming sustainable development challenges across sectors and
integrate economic, social and environmental objectives across sectors. It also includes
mechanism for monitoring implementation progress and institutional mechanism for peoples
participation.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The MDGs reflect the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was
adopted by 189 nations during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. They set 8 goals,
which they are trying to meet by 2015, the goals are given below:
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Characteristics of sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food production that is healthy for men and animals,
does not harm the environment, is humanitarian for workers, respects animals, and provides a
fair wage to the farmer.
1. Conservation and preservation: Out put of the environment is put back in, so land and
resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future
generations. The waste from sustainable farming stays within the farms ecosystem and
cannot cause buildup or pollution. So, judicial use of fertilizer, water, minimum emission of
GHGs is needed. In addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs
and fossil fuel use, and is as locally-based as possible.
2. Biodiversity: Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the
fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are
used minimally and only when necessary; many sustainable farms do not use any form of
chemicals.
3. Animal welfare: Animals are treated humanely and with respect, and are well cared for.
They are permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting or pecking,
and are fed a natural diet appropriate for their species.
4. Economically viable: Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from
the government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.
5. Socially just: Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They
work in a safe environment and are offered proper living conditions and food.
6. Productivity/Capacity: Increased productivity to feed the people with minimal
environmental hazards.

Present status of sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh

Before the advent of Green Revolution during 60s Bangladeshi farmers did not use any
chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Since then the farmers gradually had used chemicals in their
farms. As the consequences of chemical farming were emerging some organizations started their
activities (PROSHIKA, CARITAS, and UBINIG etc.). The government also started integrated
crop management (ICM) and integrated pest management (IPM) project to minimize the use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, the extent of sustainable agriculture is too low till
today. Sustainable agriculture emerged as an issue during 1976 when PROSHIKA (a leading
NGO of Bangladesh) started its ecological farming program. The government through
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) implemented few projects with support from
different aid agencies during 90s. Since climatic diseases are occurring crop loss every year and
also for the change in agricultural pattern (from subsistence to heavily dependent on input
oriented agriculture. There are several other NGOs and commercial organizations are dealing
with farming and marketing of organic agriculture and products. CARE-Bangladesh had few
projects to address sustainable agriculture issue such as GOLDA, GO-INTERFISH, and
NOPEST, which contributed much in this regard. Currently they have SHABGE, LMP and Akti
Bari Akti Khamar project in operation with some components of sustainable agriculture. There
was a networking organization (currently inactive) called Forum of Regenerative Agricultural
Movement and Bangladesh Rural Reconstruction Association (BARRA) worked in this field.

Issues / Constrains
No single approach can be applied uniformly, heterogeneity in agro-climatic environment
(agro-ecology, local and regional biophysical factors, and farmer characteristics),
conditions need to adopt and the type of sustainable agriculture practice adopted,
Amount and availability of biomass (e.g. crop residues, animal dung) is crucial element
for the most Sustainable Agriculture practice for moisture conservation, soil fertility
enhancement. Competing uses for biomass e.g. as cooking fuel or as fodder for cattle.
Biomass constrained by limitedness of resource endowment,
Economic incentives (e.g. prices) determine the profitable Sustainable Agriculture.
Availability of information on net benefits of adoption, technical details on
implementation of Sustainable Agriculture practices,

There is no updating of extension workers skill to boost technical competence for

sustainable agriculture, There is no updating of extension workers skill to boost technical
competence for Sustainable Agriculture,
Policy environment not conducive to widespread adoption of Sustainable Agriculture,
both at the national and international level. There is lack of awareness by the policy
maker on the benefit of Sustainable practices to possible resistance from agrochemical
industries and other traditional actors in intensive agriculture supply,
There is no policy exist that directly support sustainable agriculture. Even in Agriculture
Policy (1999) have no specific clause or agenda on sustainable agriculture (NAP, 1999).
Also National Seed Policy (1993) has no specific clause or agenda on sustainable
agriculture (NSP, 1993).

Challenges in Agricultural Development

There are some unique challenges in agriculture and rural development sector. Bangladesh is
facing challenges in crop, fisheries and livestock and also in rural non-farm sector for rural
development.
In terms of crops, raising agricultural production to feed the growing population in the context of
shrinking agricultural land and climate change impacts is the main challenge. To increase the
productivity shifting towards commercial agriculture is other major challenge. Reduction of yield
gap and large scale adoption of proven agro-technologies at farm level need large scale research
and extension efforts. But we do not have enough resource and investment for this. Inadequate
rural infrastructure and marketing facilities is another major challenge. Reversing trend of
environmental stresses due to intensive cultivation is harming crop production. Recover organic
matter content in agricultural land is alarmingly decreasing. Moreover, stopping conversion of
agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes is the biggest challenge in crop production.
Fisheries sector are facing various challenges and constraints for sustainable development.
Overexploitation of capture fisheries due to increased fishing pressure by the rapidly growing
population, Loss and degradation of fish habitat by natural and human interventions such as
FCD/FCDI projects, industrial and agro-pollution of water, siltation water bodies, Environmental
degradation, climate change and natural hazards are the main challenges in term of fisheries.
Revenue oriented leasing system of water bodies (Jalmohal) by Ministry of Labor indulges
destructive and over fishing. Lack of coordination among different agencies and Institutional
weakness of the organizations responsible for development and management of fisheries
resources such as: (a) Lack of sufficient manpower for implementation of laws and regulations

and for extension (b) Shortage of fund and other logistics to carry out the activity of the sector.
There are no alternative livelihoods supports to fishers during banned fishing seasons and
sanctuary maintenance remained low and ineffective. Without such support and social safety net
assistance for the poor fishers, sanctuary management and resource conservation may remain
ineffective.
Ensuring feed and fodder is the major challenge for the growing livestock sector. There is no
control of diseases such as bird flu for poultry and anthrax for cattle. It is tough to support small
holders so that they can sustain and flourish in this promising sector. So this sector is not
sustainable.
Rural Non formal sector is widely diverse in structure, scale and product coverage and hence
faces diverse constraints ranging from good road for a motorized vehicle operator to technical,
management and marketing skills for a micro, small or medium enterprise. Rural enterprises are
constrained by lack of access to credit, market and electricity and lack of education and training
of entrepreneurs. Lack of proper infrastructure, technology, access to market, and institutional
support hinder robust growth of RNF sector. Poorer households are at a disadvantage owing to
lack of credit, education and electricity and engaged in low productivity activities- these are the
major challenges of this sector.

Some Major Challenges

Rapid decrease of agricultural land (82000 ha decrease annually)
Population growth
Climate change and variations.
Rapid urbanization growth
Agricultural research and education (manpower shortage, updating course curriculum).
Technology generation (needs expertise, time and money, logistics support).
Alternate livelihoods/rehabilitation program.
Depletion of Soil Fertility: low nutrition
Falling Productivity of HYV: Stagnancy in Research
Domination of Rice
Population Increase: Additional 2.5 MMT by 2015
High Production Cost: Irrigation 26% P. Cost Subsidy only 0.1%
Marketing and storage Problems (such as potato cold storage)
Inadequate value addition /food processing.
Climate change adaptation & mitigation.
Research-extension-farmer-market linkage.
Shortage of Argil labor at peak seasons.

Environmental Challenges in Agriculture

The challenge for Bangladesh agriculture, to put simply, is to increase production, while
minimizing environmental impact. This includes conserving and protecting the quality of the
resources that determine the performance of agriculture like land, water and air. Reductions in
yield, although determined by many factors, may be partially a consequence of land and water
exploitation (FAO, 1994). By the early 1980s approx. 53 percent of Bangladeshs geographical
area had been considered degraded according to the Ministry of Agriculture: Water logging
affected about 8 percent of the cultivated area, while alkali and acidic soils both affected about 4
percent. The major process of land degradation is soil erosion (due to water and wind erosion)
contributing to over 75 percent of the land degradation. One third of this land was degraded by
human activities, while nearly one half was degraded by a combination of human and natural
causes. CPD found a negative and significant negative relationship between land degradation and
food grain productivity in both the 1980s and 1990s. The future challenges are very significant
for sustainable agriculture. The real picture is shown in figure-1 below:

If look the graph (Figure-1) where in 1970 population were very small in number but in 2010 its
a large number of population and food production also increasing but the total cultivate land are
not increases some time it was decreases too. Our present population is 150 Million and if this
rate of birth is ongoing than by 2020 it will reach 160 Million or above. So, it the final time to
address the population control otherwise the upcoming disaster would be damaged our whole
structure and when people eat the meet of human being in absent of food or food crises.

The challenges for sustainable farming

Many development and farmers organizations, researchers and policymakers are already
convinced of the opportunities that small scale sustainable farming provides in meeting the needs
of a growing world population for food and energy. The publication of the 2008 World
Development Report (World Bank, 2007) and the International Assessment of Agricultural
Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD, 2009) clearly show the way
forward for sustainable agriculture. But although the time is right for an alternative agricultural
approach, real change is difficult to achieve and family farmers still face many challenges.
Climate change is already affecting food production and putting vulnerable, small-scale
farmers at risk. At the same time, industrial agriculture contributes significantly to
climate change;
Land grabs are accelerating the development of industrial farming, with multinational
companies producing for the world market, and further marginalizing small scale
producers and local markets;
Share holders and private equity funds are increasingly using land and agricultural
commodities in their speculative activities;
A few seed companies control the global seed market which is severely reducing agro
biodiversity;
The agrochemical industry advertises their strategy for industrial agriculture as the
solution for the future, despite their past failures;
A few multinational food companies exert significant control over a large number of
value chains, thus reducing market opportunities for small-scale producers and small
retailers.

Role of Government on sustainable agriculture

There is no structural support on sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh. Extension Education
Department of Bangladesh Agricultural University has minor course on sustainable agriculture.
This department is also available in the other Universities (Public/Science and Technology
University). A little initiative has been taken by the NGOs like PROSHIKA, UNINIG, BARCIK,
and Hunger Free World CARITAS in research and extension of sustainable agriculture (DFID,
2001). A number of NGOs (both local and international origin) implement (Farmers Field
School) FFS and FFS type activities in Bangladesh. The Department of Agricultural Extension
(DAE) of the Government also operates limited FFS. The FFS highlights the need for more
location specific and broader extension approach with the farmers taking the lead role. This is a
relatively new approach where farmers are protagonists and they have key role in technology
development and testing. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a new farm technology has a few
methods under the technology being implemented by DAE and NGOs through FFS for
sustainable agriculture. The government in its New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) 1996
defined strategies to attain the prime objective of integrated environmental support defined that it
would integrate environment into the overall agricultural policy to ensure a policy of sustainable
agricultural development (NAEP, 1996).

Recommendations
1. To introduce sustainable agriculture practice for attaining household food security,
livelihood, and finally alleviation of poverty.
2. Improve access to as well as the quality of information education and training program on
sustainable agriculture for farmers and extension workers.
3. Policy advocacy and lobbying in favour of sustainable agriculture with GOs, NGOs, private
and multilateral organizations.
4. More research and understanding needed on institutions links between applied research and
farmer.
5. To raise awareness/social mobilization on sustainable agriculture.
7. Build up partnership with GO's, NGOs, networks, private sector, institutions, research
organizations, other related organizations to promote sustainable agriculture.
8. To establish resource center on sustainable agriculture.

Conclusion
There are lots of challenges Bangladesh have to face to attain sustainable development. There are
challenges in every sector. It is tough to face all of the challenges. But the government should
prioritize the challenges and need to resolve these challenges. We should be strategic and stay
focused to overcome these challenges. In every stages of development we have to face new
challenges.
Now incentives and policies for ensuring the sustainability of agriculture will be crucial if we are
to meet the demands of improving yields without comprising environmental integrity or public
health. Given emerging pressure and resource constraints, agricultural policies need to
simultaneously help meet the triple objectives of socio-economy, agricultural production and
environmental sustainability. A major challenge is to create policies, institutions, human
resources and technologies that make the three goals more compatible. To maximize
agricultures efficiency and sustainability, public policy should seek to internalize all cost and
benefits in the price of production inputs, such as improving pricing mechanisms for irrigation
water, facilitating land market development, and eliminating distorting taxes and subsidies on
agrochemical inputs, including fertilizers. Secure property rights and other policies offering
farmers incentives for investing in resource management, as well as access to yield-increasing
and resource conserving technologies are critical.

References
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Parishad (BUP),
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The Key to Achieving Sustainable Development of Rural Bangladesh, December 2011
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Survey System, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. p. 1.
6. http://www.sustainabletable.org
7. Sustainable Agriculture a Challenge for the 21st Century, Conference report, Bonn, 2324 November 2010.
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Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)
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