Agriculture, Structural Transformation, and Economic Growth in Bangladesh: Trends, Challenges, and Policy Implications

This paper presents a comprehensive review and descriptive synthesis of the dynamic relationship between agricultural productivity, structural transformation, and economic growth in Bangladesh. Framed as a review paper, it synthesizes secondary data from national and international sources and existing empirical literature to analyze trends, challenges, and policy implications. Despite a marked decline in its share of GDP, agriculture remains vital for employment, rural livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The analysis highlights the pathways through which agriculture contributes to national growth, while also examining persistent challenges such as regional disparities, technological adoption constraints particularly for women farmers and climate vulnerability. The study identifies a significant divergence between the stable growth of agriculture and the surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) targeted at industry and services, underscoring a structural investment gap. By integrating trends in macroeconomic data, including GDP, inflation, and remittances, with a review of sectoral dynamics, the paper provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers. The findings emphasize the need for integrated policies that combine productivity enhancement, climate resilience, and equitable access to resources to leverage agriculture as a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.