PERFORMANCE OF CROP PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH: GROWTH AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES

The study examines the changing trends, growth rates, stability and regional variations of crop area, production and yield. Over time, the average size of farms has become smaller and smaller and the distribution of landholdings has also become more and more skewed a result of which is the increasing landless and near landless farms. But double and triple cropped lands are increasing. Production trends of major crops are also increasing. Production and productivity of rice are increasing in each decade and unstable growth rates were observed for production and productivity of wheat and potatoes. Higher production but very low productivity was observed for minor cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Area irrigated by modern method was increased higher rate, specially, from late eighties. Intensity of cropping is comparatively higher in southeast and northeast regions. Bogra, Jesore, Mymensingh, Comilla, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts show better position in agricultural development. Out of 20 former districts of Bangladesh, Chittagong Hill Tracts was the top position and khulna was on the second top position using indexing method based on the eight agricultural development indicators