A Review on Status and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Diversification in Bangladesh

Agricultural diversification has been recognized as one of the important adaptation strategies for maintaining rural livelihoods, which enhances farm income, generates employment opportunities, and manages risk in agriculture. Despite the benefits of agricultural diversity, farmers’ decisions and influencing factors regarding agricultural diversification have not been well defined. This review article aims to measure the status and influencing factors of agricultural diversification in Bangladesh. The review revealed that progress in cereal foods (rice, wheat, and maize) production increased by1.75 times and non-cereal foods (potatoes, vegetables, fruits, pulse, oilseeds, spices, milk, meat, and fish) production increased by 4.75 times from 2000 to 2022. Moreover, the percentage of non-cereal foods consumption increased from 46.74% in 2000 to 65.92% in 2022. Crop diversification showed an upward trend during this period, while overall diversification in agriculture was an increasing trend with a fluctuating nature.

There are several factors influencing crop and non-crop diversification that were identified in this review article by using different statistical techniques like the Probit model, Tobit model, correlation co-efficient (r), multiple regression, etc. Among these, age, education, farm size with the number of plots, farming experience, family working members, availability of irrigated land, availability of hired labor, family income, farm assets & infrastructure, the share of non-agricultural income, access to markets, credit facility, training received, extension linkage, membership in social organizations, and participation of women in farming were the key factors that have a significant positive influence on agricultural diversification in Bangladesh. The findings of this article have significant implications for extension functionaries and other development workers to find a proper approach to motivate the farmers towards agricultural diversification and enhance the means of livelihood for farm households.