In the fertile lands of Bangladesh, Agriculture is a story of resilience and opportunity. For generations, it has been the backbone of rural communities, the livelihood of millions, and the foundation of the nation’s food security. Employing over 40% of the labor force and contributing 11.38% to the national GDP, this sector is critical to feeding a growing population and sustaining millions of lives.
Though the sector benefits from a rich diversity of crops, existing large farming community, increasing investment and support from government policies. Yet, this vital sector is now at a crossroads, facing challenges that threaten the future of this critical industry. Smallholder farmers, who contribute over 80% of the country’s agricultural output, are at the forefront of this challenge. They are constantly challenged by factors such as unpredictable climate conditions, shrinking arable land, inadequate access to finance, and gaps in agricultural knowledge & technologies, leaving them struggling to sustain livelihoods.
Sustainability is not just a priority, but an urgent necessity for survival
With the world’s population projected to soar to 9.7 billion by 2050 and Bangladesh expected to reach nearly 200 million, the demand for food will surge significantly. The World Bank estimates that 1% of arable land is lost annually to urbanization, while climate volatility increases pest outbreaks and disrupts traditional cropping patterns. This escalating demand puts unparalleled pressure on agriculture to do more with limited resources.
Sustainability is not just a priority, but an urgent necessity for survival
At Syngenta Bangladesh, keeping farmers at the center of everything, embedded sustainability in every stage of business and operation. For over 50 years, Syngenta Bangladesh has been a pillar of crop production and protection, driving food security with innovative and sustainable solutions that have transformed the lives of millions of smallholder farmers.
Through sustainability initiatives like CENTRIGO™—an end-to-end solution for farmers, “GoGrow”—climate-resilient programs for coastal farmers, and the “Farmer School”—an integrated learning hub, Syngenta is empowering farmers and ensuring the long-term resilience of Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
CENTRIGO™ – New Farming Ecosystem: Farmer-Centric End to End Solution to Food Security and Value Chain Development
To enable smallholder farmers, CENTRIGO™ is a farmer-centered ecosystem, revolutionizing agriculture in Bangladesh by providing holistic solutions to overcome challenges that threaten crops and farmers' livelihoods.
CENTRIGO provides an end-to-end model that integrates support at every stage, from crop production to post- harvest handling and market access. It connects farmers with essential services such as financing, crop insurance, digital tools, seed treatment, and forward linkage. Each center is staffed with dedicated professionals offering services like telemedicine, life insurance, harvesting equipment, and agronomic knowledge, bridging critical gaps in the agricultural value chain. CENTRIGO" is designed to improve resilence, productivity, and food security along backward to forward linkage and making farming more sustainable and rewarding for rural farming communities.
CENTRIGO™ has already benefited 10,000 farmers, increased yields, and reduced costs. With 12 centers across Bangladesh, Syngenta plans to expand CENTRIGO™ centers more in the near future.
Bangladesh’s agricultural sector, particularly in the southern coastal belt areas like Shyamnagar in Satkhira, is facing a direct struggle with the initial impacts of climate change. The rising salinity, worsened by climate-related disasters like cyclones and floods, is increasingly impacting agricultural land and contaminating freshwater sources. Considering the situation, Syngenta Bangladesh pioneered a life-changing project called GoGrow. This initiative is enriching smallholder farmers in saline-prone areas to increase their incomes and improve their profitability. With the collaborative efforts of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) and the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP) under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), GoGrow is enabling year-round cultivation and transforming their lives.
GoGrow: Transforming Coastal Agriculture
GoGrow is empowering over 150 coastal farm families across 100+ acres of salty land through saline-tolerant rice variety, rainwater harvesting with 17 ponds, introducing solar irrigation, livestock integration, hands-on training on modern agriculture & Stewardship and regenerative practices.
With van donations for mitigating post-harvest loss and tree plantations to enhance ecological balance, the initiative has increased community socio-income, strengthening livelihoods and preventing migration from farming.
By 2030, GoGrow aims to expand its impact to 600 acres and 15,000 farm families.
By prioritizing the knowledge gap in the farming community, Syngenta Bangladesh Limited, in partnership with the local government, has established first infrastructural Farmer School in Bangladesh. This school offers training on modern farming techniques, safe use of crop protection input and fertilizer, soil health, livestock and fisheries management, capacity building for CMSMEs entrepreneur and access to agri finance. Led by expert agricultural scientists and resources professional from public & private sector, the school equips farmers with essential skills to enhance productivity and sustainability.
A Vision Realized
Syngenta Bangladesh's initiatives stand as a testament to the power of innovation and sustainability in transforming agriculture. These initiatives directly support broader SDGs targets, such as Zero hunger (SDG 2), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).
Syngenta Bangladesh and the Government of Bangladesh are working hand in hand in a concerted effort to transform agriculture, unleash the true potential of farmers and strengthen food security.
