CHANGES IN THE MAJOR FOOD GRAINS PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH AND THEIR SOURCES DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1979/80 TO 1998/99

Based on national level data from secondary sources, the magnitude of changes in average production and the sources of changes for the Bangladesh as a whole were measured for major food grains - rice (Aus, Aman and Boro) and wheat during 1979/80 to 1998/99 which was again sub-divided between two time periods, before full-implementation of privatization policies (1979/80-1988/89) and after full-implementation of privatization policies (1989/90-1998/99). The findings showed that average area of Boro rice and wheat increased during the whole period of study. However, during the period after full-implementation of privatization policies the areas under Aus, wheat as well as total food grains decreased. Further, it was found that except Aus, average production of all types of food grains increased and except wheat, average yield of all types of food grains also increased during the same period. The analysis showed that in the cases of Aus and Boro rice as well as total food grains, change in mean area; and in the cases of Aman rice and wheat changes in mean yield were the main sources of change in mean production in Bangladesh. It was also found that Boro rice appeared to be the highest and Aus rice appeared to be the lowest contributors in increasing mean production of total food grains. Finally, some policy conclusions are drawn with respect to improvement of production levels of major food grains.