The government is likely to pass the Agricultural Land Protection Act within the next two months, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources ministries.

She made the remarks while speaking at the "Agriculture, Food Security and Biodiversity Conference 2025", organised by Bonik Barta at a hotel in the capital yesterday.

Rizwana said the law would include measures to protect farmers and regulate the use of farmland. "Despite years of discussion, no effective action has been taken," she said, adding that the agriculture ministry is now working on drafting a clear policy for farmer protection.

"The state must protect people, the environment, and agriculture. But often, development comes at the cost of the environment. We need to change this mindset. Private actors must also contribute," she said.

Our biggest asset is fertile land. But if we destroy soil fertility and micro-organisms, where will we farm? In the sky? We must recognise our limits -- limited land and a dense population. Planning must reflect this reality to protect our land and water.

— Prof Anu Muhammad Eminent Economist

She stressed the importance of food safety, saying food quality is as important as quantity. "Most of our land yields two to three crops annually. We must not import rejected technologies or put profits above farmers' well-being."

Rizwana also said 150 acres of eucalyptus trees in the Madhupur Sal forest would be replaced with native Sal trees later this month.

At the event, Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, called for stronger land policies and better agricultural planning.

Agriculture contributes 12 percent to GDP and employs 45 percent of the population, yet 70 percent of all court cases are land-related, she said.

She said most farmers grow crops for the market, not for themselves. "To achieve food sovereignty, we must rethink what and how we produce. Harmful crops like tobacco are degrading soil and harming farmers' health," she added.

"Agriculture, food, and public health are all connected. We must stop exploiting soil, water, and people. The future of agriculture depends on policies focused on sustainability," said Khushi Kabir.

Eminent economist Professor Anu Muhammad said the agricultural system is becoming more disconnected from farmers.

"Farmers aren't getting fair prices, and their lives are becoming more fragile. Meanwhile, our food is turning toxic -- fish, meat, fruit -- everything is contaminated," he said. "In reality, we're consuming poison."

He said agriculture is vital for Bangladesh's survival, but the media gives little coverage to crop pricing, river erosion, and extreme weather.

"At least 13 farmers have taken their lives in recent months due to price shocks and other agriculture-related problems. A cancer hospital study found that 70 percent of its patients are farmers. Toxic food is boosting GDP by making people sick and turning treatment into business," said Anu Muhammad.

"Our biggest asset is fertile land. But if we destroy soil fertility and micro-organisms, where will we farm? In the sky?" he asked. "We must recognise our limits -- limited land and a dense population. Planning must reflect this reality to protect our land and water," he said.

He urged policymakers to assess the real cost of increased production and called for a national accounting of the damage to land, water, and people, alongside a roadmap for sustainable development.

Abdur Rab, vice-chancellor of International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), said, "If educated youth take up farming seriously, they can earn more without chasing jobs. But they need institutional support and proper training."

He said traditional farming is declining, with fewer rural youth entering the sector and a sharp drop in sharecropping and farm labour. "We must shift to larger-scale farming and shorten supply chains to make farming profitable," he said.

Multimode Group Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo warned that shrinking farmland and a growing population threaten food security. "Despite talks of self-sufficiency, we still import rice, wheat, and maize. We need multi-cropping and policies that reflect changing consumption trends."

Prof Tofazzal Islam of Gazipur Agricultural University said an overemphasis on yield is damaging soil health. "We must invest in restoring soil health and building climate-resilient agriculture," he said.