Agriculture remains a critical sector for Bangladesh, providing employment for nearly half the population and ensuring food security. The fertile deltaic soil and abundant water supply allow for intensive farming, with many areas producing two or three crops a year.
Rice is the absolute staple crop, dominating agricultural land use; Bangladesh is consistently ranked among the top four rice-producing nations globally. Other major crops include jute (historically the "golden fiber" and main export before garments), wheat, maize, tea (grown predominantly in the hilly Sylhet region), potatoes, and various spices.
Fisheries represent a massive part of the agricultural economy. The country has vast inland open waters and an extensive coastline, making it one of the top inland fish producers in the world. The Hilsa (Ilish) is the national fish and a crucial catch. Poultry and dairy farming have also seen rapid commercialization over the past two decades to meet the protein demands of a growing middle class.