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AGRICULTURE has long been a central pillar of economic and social life in Bangladesh, as it has been across much of the world. Through this sector, food security, public welfare and broader economic progress are nurtured. Yet, the agricultural landscape continues to face critical challenges and turning points. At such junctures, the question invariably arises: is it agricultural reform we need, or reform of the farmers themselves?

As science progresses and technology evolves, modern tools and methods are increasingly integrated into agriculture. From digital farming to precision irrigation and automated harvesting, the sector is undergoing significant transformation. However, in many areas, farmers remain disengaged from these advances. A lack of access to information about new cultivation techniques, quality seeds, efficient irrigation and fertiliser management means that many still rely on traditional methods — often at the cost of productivity. In places where digital agriculture and smart farming are being introduced, these concepts are still foreign to most farmers. This disconnect compromises their ability to compete, both locally and globally.

Moreover, market mismanagement and flawed economic policies compound these technological gaps. Once a crop is harvested, farmers frequently struggle to secure fair prices due to intermediary exploitation, oversupply and inadequate government pricing interventions. Their incomes remain uncertain, prone to seasonal fluctuation and systemic volatility. Such economic instability erodes farmers’ morale and resilience, underlining the urgent need for thoughtful reform.

Bangladesh’s vulnerability to natural disasters further complicates matters. Floods, droughts, cyclones and other climate-related disruptions interrupt farming cycles, while unpredictable weather patterns, exacerbated by climate change, have rendered traditional agricultural schedules unreliable. In the absence of robust disaster management frameworks or technical support, these factors pose existential risks to both productivity and livelihoods. Reforming the disaster response infrastructure is essential, but just as vital is equipping farmers with modern coping strategies. Many experts argue that a core issue lies in the lack of education and training opportunities for farmers. Devoid of formal instruction in new agricultural methods, financial management, or even basic market analysis, many are left to operate within the limits of outdated practices. This not only inhibits yield but stunts farmers’ self-esteem, initiative, and potential for innovation.

In this context, it is necessary to interrogate the meaning of ‘reform’. Reform in agriculture generally denotes changes in tools, techniques, infrastructure and policy. Reform of farmers, on the other hand, refers to shifts in attitudes, education, behaviour, and socio-economic outlook. While both are necessary, determining which to prioritise requires a nuanced understanding of the root problems.

The adoption of modern agricultural technologies is imperative. Mechanisation, automated irrigation, drone-based monitoring and digital processing can significantly enhance both efficiency and yield. When applied thoughtfully, such tools reduce labour intensity while increasing output. But such transformations must be underpinned by intelligent, farmer-friendly policy. Policymakers must ensure that agricultural policies do more than support productivity—they must provide insurance, financial backing and incentives for technological adoption. Furthermore, effective partnerships between universities, research institutions, and the private sector are essential to cultivate local innovation and research-based solutions.

Digital platforms offer another path forward. Online marketplaces can allow farmers to connect directly with buyers, reducing their dependence on exploitative intermediaries. Access to weather updates, market forecasts and crop advisory through mobile apps or web portals can also improve farmers’ decision-making. To achieve this, government and private IT firms must collaborate within the framework of a digitally empowered Bangladesh.

At the same time, continuous training and educational support are indispensable. Regular seminars on modern cultivation methods, financial literacy, and the use of agricultural technologies can foster both competence and confidence. Training initiatives backed by public-private partnerships will help demystify new techniques and increase openness to innovation.

Still, no technological upgrade or training module can succeed without a shift in mindset. Often, it is traditional thinking — habitual, conservative and risk-averse — that hinders progress. Many farmers are understandably cautious about abandoning familiar methods for unproven ones. Without encouraging a spirit of entrepreneurialism, experimentation and tolerance for failure, technological interventions will remain underutilised. Society and state institutions must help cultivate this cultural shift, empowering farmers to take initiative, make informed risks, and embrace new practices.

This shift must also be economic. Savings behaviour, reinvestment in tools or technologies and post-harvest value addition require a baseline of economic awareness. Farmers must see themselves not as passive labourers but as investors, innovators, and stewards of their livelihoods. Microfinance schemes, low-interest credit and training in financial management are needed to anchor this transformation.

When assessing the relative importance of reform in agriculture versus reform of farmers, it is clear that the two are not mutually exclusive but rather interdependent. Technological advancement can only take root if farmers are receptive to it. Likewise, a reformed outlook among farmers will struggle to yield results without access to enabling technologies and systems. The future lies in harmonising both.

The international market reinforces this necessity. In a globalised economy, countries that fail to modernise their agricultural systems risk being left behind. While developed nations are investing in automation, genetic innovation and climate-resilient farming, countries like Bangladesh cannot afford to remain static. Without the fusion of technical reform and human development, agricultural stagnation could constrain national progress.

Sustainability must also be at the heart of this conversation. Modernisation is not just about increasing output — it is about doing so without compromising environmental or social health. Eco-friendly practices, efficient resource management, and climate-resilient strategies must become central pillars of reform. This calls for intelligent planning and policy reform that balances technological aspiration with environmental responsibility.

Crucially, these efforts must not occur in isolation. Reform is not a task for governments alone. NGOs, private actors, educational institutions and international partners all have a role to play. From facilitating training to enabling research, from funding pilot projects to building digital infrastructure — collaboration will be key.

Progress is already visible in some areas. Government and non-government entities have begun conducting workshops, providing technical support and rolling out digital tools for farmers. Mobile apps now offer weather updates, financial planning assistance and crop advice. Direct-to-market platforms are slowly breaking the hold of intermediaries. These are promising signs, but they remain fragmented, often concentrated in urban or semi-urban areas and dependent on donor cycles.

The full potential of these initiatives is often hindered by persistent low literacy, lack of awareness and resistance to change. Even when the tools are available, many farmers are hesitant to use them due to limited confidence or familiarity. The mindset gap remains a major bottleneck.

To address this, future policy must focus on integration. Technological infrastructure should be rolled out in parallel with community outreach, education and attitudinal change. Programmes aimed at youth in rural areas can be particularly effective, helping bridge generational divides and promoting long-term shifts in perception. The involvement of local role models — farmers who have successfully adopted modern practices — can provide practical inspiration and peer validation.

In the longer term, sustainable agricultural reform must also consider climate resilience. Rising temperatures, shifting seasons and extreme weather events will only become more frequent. Integrating environmental planning into agricultural reform is essential. This includes promoting drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, water-efficient irrigation and alternative energy use.

Digital rural development can also offer a transformative path. By encouraging younger generations to engage with agriculture through technology — apps, YouTube channels, or online training — a cultural rebranding of farming becomes possible. Agriculture need not be synonymous with poverty or backwardness; it can be smart, dynamic and progressive.

Ultimately, the question — ‘reform in agriculture or reform of farmers?’ — is not a binary choice but a deeply intertwined challenge. On one side stands technological progress; on the other, human development. Without the will to change, machines will rust unused. Without the tools to implement, ambition will falter. Only when reforms in agriculture and farmers themselves are approached as a unified agenda will true transformation be possible.

To realise this, all stakeholders — government, NGOs, the private sector and communities — must collaborate in a long-term, coordinated process. Financial incentives, training infrastructure and socio-cultural engagement must operate in tandem. If such an integrated effort is pursued consistently, the result will not just be improved agricultural productivity but a more secure, confident, and respected farming class.

Agricultural reform is not a singular intervention; it is a continuum of vision, investment, and above all, trust in the potential of the farmer. If that trust can be met with opportunity, education, and support, Bangladesh’s farmers will not just feed the nation — they will help lead it forward.

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Sadia Sultana Rimi is a student at Jagannath University.