Akbar Hossain and Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva

pp. 261 - 274

Abstract

Agriculture is the prime economic activity in Bangladesh, but global warming is expected to severely reduce the yield
of various crops, including wheat and rice, directly affecting the food security of 165 million people. Even though Bangladesh
has achieved significant progress in agriculture, especially with respect to rice production and yield, the demand for rice still
outstrips domestic production, and the country remains a net importer of rice. With an expanding population, planning for
future cereal production and demand is crucial to meeting Bangladesh’s food security challenges. To facilitate this planning,
projections of future supply and demand for cereals are critical. This study is an attempt at carrying out such future
projections with a view to assessing the likely gap between supply and demand. This information will also help to mould
a global perspective plan of rice and wheat research in Bangladesh to meet the food demand of an increasing population for
years to come.