Prospects and challenges of agro-industry in Bangladesh: An agripreneur view

Abstract

Agriculture sector plays an important role in overall economic development of Bangladesh. A plurality of Bangladeshis earns their living from agriculture. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a fertile agrarian country where agriculture and its related branches have been acting as the main livelihood of major portion of citizen since independence. Agro-industry is playing increasingly important role in achieving sustainable development goal as well as faster economic growth in many developing countries like Bangladesh. To meet the domestic food demand and to create self-employment, young generation has diverted their profession to this potential sector by being an agripreneur. Considering the prospect and challenges of agro-industry, it is evident that agro-industry friendly attitude of the government as well as essential policies are necessary for the development and growth of this sector. Vibrant agro-industrial activities can expand the markets for primary agricultural products, add value by vertically integrating primary production and food processing system and minimize post harvest losses. With few exceptions, the agro-industrial sector of Bangladesh remains elementary, underdeveloped and largely without significant institutional, technical and financial support. However, the present study focuses on identifying the problems and prospects of agripreneurship in Bangladesh and the researchers also endeavored to provide some suggestions for the sustainable agripreneurship development. Key words: Entrepreneur, agripreneur, agri-business, agro-Industry, Bangladesh.