By Abdul Haque, Sharif Ahmed, and Humnath Bhandari
The economy of Bangladesh is largely dependent on agriculture, and most of the people are dependent on it directly and indirectly. Agriculture remains vital for GDP (11.3%), employment, and food security. But nowadays, this sector faces several challenges, such as climate change, labor shortages, increasing input costs, and price volatility of produced products. Low income and unstable earnings from farming due to seasonal requirements push many workers to seek better-paying jobs outside agriculture. Garments, construction, transport, and services offer more stable, better-paying jobs, attracting rural youth.
Mixed farming systems (MFS) offer a sustainable solution to Bangladesh’s agricultural challenges by diversifying income sources and reducing dependency on a single sector. By integrating crops, livestock, aquaculture, and forestry, farmers can optimize their resource use, for example crop residues like rice straw and maize stover can feed cattle and goats, while livestock manure can be composted into organic fertilizer. Moreover, MFS innovations provide a continuous supply of diverse, nutrient-rich foods, boosting household nutrition and community food security. This approach can also engage women and attract agricultural labor by creating stable employment opportunities.
Implemented in Bangladesh from 2022 to 2024, the CGIAR Initiative on Mixed Farming Systems (MFS) and IRRI worked on a number of innovations that significantly contributed to enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in both the northern and southern regions of Bangladesh. The achievements and insights of some innovations are stated below.
Intensified and diversified cropping systems for resilient farming and better crop-livestock integration
Covering 75% of arable land, rice dominates Bangladesh’s agriculture, but long-duration Aman rice limits crop diversification and leaves fields fallow between two rice harvests. To address this issue, under the Mixed Farming Systems (MFS) initiative, IRRI introduced BRRI dhan75, a short-duration Aman variety harvested 30-35 days earlier than common long-duration types. This enables farmers to grow an extra Rabi crop, boosting their income by increasing system yield and food security. In 2023, a farmer in northern Bangladesh, Birendra Nath Barman, replaced long-duration Aman with BRRI dhan75, followed by mustard or potato, then Boro rice, producing three crops instead of two and earning an extra BDT 10,000–12,000 per 33 decimals of land. He said, “wider adoption of short-duration varieties could increase two crops to three crops in at least 50% of areas in our village”. This innovation also enables earlier rice harvests, providing farmers with food during lean periods, straw for livestock during feed scarcity, and timely planting of winter crops. By increasing crop diversification and promoting crop-livestock integration, this innovation benefited over 5,000 farmers during 2023-2024 by increasing crop diversification and promoting crop-livestock integration.
Homestead farming for gender inclusion and better nutrition
In rural Bangladesh, homestead farming with year-round vegetable gardens enhances household nutrition, income, and self-sufficiency by providing vegetables, spices, and income opportunities for women. Limited access to quality seeds and technical knowledge are the major constraints of year-round homestead vegetable production. Through a partnership with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), the MFS initiative scaled up year-round homestead vegetable gardening to over 6,000 households in northern and southern Bangladesh. Following the “Saidpur Model” of homestead gardening, Mrs. Farida Begum of Rangpur district now produces vegetables worth BDT 45,000 annually, improving her family’s nutrition through home consumption. As she notes, “Before, I had to buy vegetables from the market, but now I get fresh ones from my garden. We eat the vegetables, sell the extra, and share with my relatives and neighbors.”
Improved fodder for sustainable livestock management
Improved fodder enhances livestock health, productivity, and farmers’ incomes by increasing milk and meat yields while reducing feed costs. Farmers often do not cultivate improved fodder due to limited knowledge and seed/cutting availability. The MFS initiative, in partnership with the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), held over 70 fodder demonstrations showcasing high-yielding varieties such as Pakchong, Red Pakchong, Jara, Smart Napier, BLRI Hybrid Napier-3, and BLRI Napier-4. The initiative distributed over 260,000 fodder cuttings to over 700 households, with 33 female local service providers (LSPs) received fodder choppers. Over 200 livestock farmers also received training on improved fodder production and livestock management. For support, MFS developed 20 local veterinary service providers by training them with the help of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).
Compost and vermicompost production for resilient soil management
Compost and vermicompost are cost-effective, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers, helping improve soil fertility, reducing production costs, and lowering carbon emissions. Composting recycles organic waste such as livestock manure, crop residues, and kitchen waste, while vermicomposting uses earthworms to accelerate decomposition and produce nutrient-rich fertilizer. Both methods can be practiced at the homestead level with minimal investment, offering opportunities for women’s income generation and sustainable waste management. From the MFS initiative, over 600 beneficiaries (80% women) received vermicompost and compost production facilities (e.g., crates, worms, metal sheets for compost shade, etc.), and training. Shahina Begum, a vermicompost producer from Nilphamari district, stated, “I used to rely on chemical fertilizers in my homestead garden, but now I use vermicompost, which leads to at least 30% less reliance on chemical fertilizers. Vermicompost has made my soil healthier and more productive.”
Direct-seeded rice, a climate-smart labor and water-saving technology
Direct seeded rice (DSR) reduces labor, water use, energy consumption, and GHG emissions, offering a climate-smart solution to address labor shortages, rising input costs, and water scarcity under changing rainfall patterns. In Bangladesh, the adoption of mechanized DSR is limited due to awareness, policy, lack of suitable machines, and skilled operators. MFS found that Aman rice is both suitable and profitable in DSR systems in northern Bangladesh. Through sustainable farming and Scaling for Impact (S4I) programs, IRRI is working to expand adoption and support for DSR.
Establishment of community agricultural learning labs for sustainability
From the MFS initiative, a total of 13 Community Agricultural Learning Labs were established at the village level to promote resource-efficient, climate-smart, and resilient technologies. Managed in collaboration with BARI, BRRI, and BLRI, these centers provide farmers with timely information, training, and demonstrations on innovations in crops, livestock, and integrated farming systems. Beyond improving farming techniques, the labs strengthen local agricultural systems, enhance climate resilience, promote environmental sustainability, and contribute to rural economic development by fostering continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation among farming communities.
Empowering women and youth through small agro-machinery
IRRI Bangladesh, through the CGIAR science program, has been working on rice and homestead-based mechanization. In northern Bangladesh, IRRI has focused on mechanized rice transplanting and mechanized direct seeded rice. As part of its homestead mechanization activities, IRRI has provided over 80 small agricultural machines, including fodder choppers, mini rice husking mills, oil extractors, and maize shellers, to both young men and women. The adoption of small agricultural equipment can enable youth to engage more actively in farming. This change not only enhances their participation in agricultural activities but also creates new chances for the family to generate income.
Training and capacity building
The MFS initiative conducted training programs to promote sustainable practices, crop diversification, improved production technologies, and better livestock management. From 2023 to 2024, a total of 4,446 farmers were trained in various innovations to enhance their skills, with 57% being women.
Learn more about the Mixed Farming Systems initiative in this YouTube video:
