Overview of the Agricultural Economics Division

The Agricultural Economics Division (AED) of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) was established in 1977. The Division initially operated from the then headquarters of BARI at 87 Pioneer Road, Segun Bagicha, Dhaka, and formally began its research activities in 1980 with a limited number of professional staff. Over the years, AED has evolved into one of the key research divisions of BARI, contributing significantly to socio-economic research, technology assessment, agricultural policy analysis, and evidence-based decision-making in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.

The Division plays a crucial role in assessing the economic feasibility, adoption potential, profitability, market performance, and socio-economic impacts of BARI-developed crop varieties, production technologies, and improved management practices. Since agricultural technologies cannot be effectively disseminated without proper economic and social assessment, AED provides essential research support to other divisions, crop research centres, regional stations, and on-farm research programmes of BARI. Through its applied research, the Division helps ensure that agricultural innovations are not only scientifically sound but also economically viable, farmer-oriented, market-responsive, and policy-relevant.

At present, the research activities of AED are broadly organized around three major thematic areas:

1. Production Economics and Farm Management
2. Agribusiness and Marketing
3. Agricultural Finance and Trade
4. Agricultural Policy and Socio-economic Impact Assessment

Within these broad areas, the Division conducts research on cost and return analysis, farm profitability, resource-use efficiency, technology adoption, impact assessment, value chain analysis, agricultural marketing, market systems, climate adaptation, rural livelihoods, food security, agricultural credit, commercialization, and policy support. These studies generate practical evidence for farmers, researchers, extension agencies, policymakers, development partners, and other stakeholders involved in agricultural development.

AED is headed by a Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), supported by Principal Scientific Officers (PSOs), Senior Scientific Officers (SSOs), Scientific Officers (SOs), Scientific Assistants (SAs), and other supporting staff. In addition to the scientists working at the headquarters, agricultural economists are also contributing from different Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) and the On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), thereby strengthening the Division’s capacity to conduct location-specific and farmer-focused socio-economic research across Bangladesh.

The Division has a strong legacy of research in agricultural economics. Between 1985 and 2021, AED scientists conducted a total of 489 socio-economic studies. Of these, 284 studies focused on production economics and farm management, 104 on agricultural marketing, and 107 on agricultural policy. The findings of these studies have contributed to technology dissemination, policy formulation, market development, and strategic planning in the agricultural sector. To make its research outputs more accessible to scientists, policymakers, and development practitioners, the Division published a book of abstracts based on its previous studies in 2015.

In recent years, AED has further expanded its research focus to address emerging challenges in Bangladesh agriculture, including climate change adaptation, water scarcity, farm mechanization, high-value crop production, value chain upgrading, export potential assessment, agricultural commercialization, and the socio-economic evaluation of BARI-released technologies. Through these activities, the Division continues to strengthen the linkage between agricultural research, farmers’ needs, market opportunities, and national policy priorities.

The Agricultural Economics Division remains committed to generating high-quality socio-economic evidence for sustainable, inclusive, and market-oriented agricultural development in Bangladesh. Its research contributes to enhancing farm profitability, improving technology adoption, supporting climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening value chains, and informing evidence-based agricultural policies.