Small Farmers Earn Least Despite Dominating Agriculture

Small-scale farmers account for the majority of Bangladesh's food producers but earn significantly less than large-scale producers, according to a new survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The Survey on Income and Productivity of Small-Scale Food Producers 2025, released on Tuesday, found that small-scale producers make up 53.65% of all food producers across the country, highlighting their vital contribution to Bangladesh's food system.

The survey shows that the national average productivity stands at Tk1,868 per labour-day. However, small-scale producers earn only Tk1,494 per labour-day, compared with Tk2,301 for large-scale producers.

Among agricultural sectors, aquaculture recorded the highest productivity at Tk11,382 per labour-day, followed by permanent crops at Tk6,530 and forestry at Tk5,390. Livestock posted the lowest productivity at Tk1,459 per labour-day.

The survey covered 12,879 households across all eight divisions and five agricultural sectors, including crops, livestock, forestry and aquaculture.

Regional and gender disparities

Chattogram and Rangpur have the highest proportions of small-scale farmers, accounting for 59.81% and 59.29% of producers respectively. Sylhet is the only division where large-scale producers outnumber smallholders.

The survey also highlights a gender gap in agricultural leadership. Women head only 10.7% of small-scale farming households, while the figure drops to 4.7% among large-scale producers.

Small farmers excel in some sectors

Despite lower overall earnings, small-scale producers outperform large farmers in some sectors.

In permanent crops, smallholders earn Tk9,182 per labour-day, nearly double the Tk4,603 earned by large-scale producers. In forestry, small-scale farmers earn Tk6,518 per labour-day, compared with Tk4,656 for larger producers.

Rajshahi recorded the highest productivity among small-scale farmers at Tk2,093 per labour-day, while Mymensingh reported the lowest at Tk1,135.

Income gap remains wide

The survey found that the national average annual income for all food producers is Tk78,286.

However, small-scale farmers earn an average of only Tk33,639 annually, nearly four times less than the Tk129,956 earned by large-scale producers.

Livestock is the main source of income for small farmers, contributing Tk28,421 annually, or 84.5% of their total earnings. Across all producers, livestock also generates the highest average annual income, followed by aquaculture and forestry.

Rajshahi recorded the highest annual income among small-scale farmers at Tk44,707, while Sylhet had the lowest at Tk24,636.

The findings highlight the crucial role of small farmers in Bangladesh's food production while underscoring persistent disparities in productivity and income, pointing to the need for targeted policy support to improve livelihoods and advance sustainable development goals.