Background and Rationale
Bangladesh’s agriculture has made remarkable progress over the past decades. However, this success has largely relied on the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which has led to the depletion of soil organic matter, loss of beneficial microorganisms, and nutrient imbalance.
Currently, in most of Bangladesh’s cultivated lands, the percentage of soil organic matter has dropped below 1%, while the minimum requirement for sustainable soil health is at least 3%.
To restore soil fertility and ensure sustainable crop production, the promotion of organic fertilizer use is essential. However, due to high production costs and limited market incentives, farmers are yet to widely adopt organic fertilizers. Therefore, introducing a government subsidy scheme for organic fertilizers is a timely and strategic measure to safeguard soil and crop health.
2. Objectives
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To increase the organic matter content of agricultural soils.
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To protect soil biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.
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To encourage farmers to adopt organic fertilizer practices.
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To reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and promote sustainable farming systems.
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To enhance crop nutrition, productivity, and food security.
3. Proposed Actions
3.1 Subsidy Structure
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Introduce a 25–40% subsidy for farmers purchasing government-approved organic fertilizers from registered producers.
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Implement a voucher or digital subsidy card system managed through local agricultural offices.
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Only certified organic and organo-mineral fertilizers should be eligible under the subsidy scheme.
3.2 Production and Quality Control
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Quality control and certification to be conducted by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).
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Encourage the use of locally available organic resources (e.g., cow dung, crop residues, seaweed biomass, biochar, etc.).
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Provide soft loans and technical support for small- and medium-scale organic fertilizer producers and startups.
3.3 Research and Training
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Launch research programs to assess the impact of organic fertilizers on soil restoration and nutrient balance.
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Establish training and demonstration plots for farmers at the field level.
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Promote Balanced Fertilizer Management and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through extension services.
4. Expected Outcomes
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Within 5 years, soil organic matter levels will increase from 0.5% to 2% on average.
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Chemical fertilizer use will be reduced by 15–20%.
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Crop production costs will decrease while soil health improves.
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Farmers’ income will increase and environmental sustainability will be enhanced.
5. Implementing Agencies
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Ministry of Agriculture
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Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)
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Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
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Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI)
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Local Government Institutions and Agricultural Entrepreneurs’ Networks
6. Policy Recommendations
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Establish a “National Organic Fertilizer Development and Subsidy Fund” within the annual budget.
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Integrate the subsidy scheme with the National Soil Health Restoration Program.
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Set up at least one organic fertilizer demonstration and training center in every upazila.
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Implement a “Balanced Fertilizer Doctor” initiative to provide field-level guidance on organic fertilizer application and soil health management.
7. Conclusion
Subsidy on organic fertilizers is not merely an economic policy—it is a commitment to the soil and the environment. Implementing this policy will enhance soil fertility, reduce chemical dependency, ensure sustainable agriculture, and secure the nation’s food future. It is a vital step toward a greener and more resilient Bangladesh.
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