The government has initiated a comprehensive drive to expand wheat cultivation across the country, specifically targeting lands currently used for tobacco farming alongside other fallow and underutilised areas.
Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Thursday told the Parliament on Thursday that wheat is currently being cultivated on 288,000 hectares of land in Bangladesh. He provided the information in a written reply to a question from lawmaker Selina Sultana during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
To bolster grain production, the government has devised various strategies to integrate wheat into existing crop cycles. Minister Rashid noted that efforts are underway to include wheat in rice-based cropping patterns, such as Rice-Wheat-Jute and Rice-Wheat-Mung Bean.
Beyond tobacco cultivation zones, the expansion drive is also focused on saline-prone southern districts, fallow lands in the Sylhet region, char areas (riverine islands), the Barind tract and hilly plains.
Regarding research and development, the minister stated that work is ongoing to innovate and expand new high-yielding wheat varieties capable of producing 6 tonnes or more per hectare. This is being supported by increased training for farmers in modern production technologies, pest management, and the production and preservation of seeds. To protect farmers’ interests, the government is also taking steps to ensure fair pricing and direct procurement from growers.
Highlighting the support provided to the agricultural sector, minister revealed that for the 2025-26 financial year, an incentive programme was implemented across 64 districts. Under this scheme, 179,300 farmers each received 10kg of wheat seeds, 10kg of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) fertiliser, and 10kg of MOP (Muriate of Potash) fertiliser for every bigha of land.
