Building resilient agribusiness supply chains in Bangladesh: the role of technology in climate-affected zones

Abstract

Agriculture remains important to Bangladesh’s economy but is increasingly affected by climate change, including salinity, flooding, and drought. These challenges disrupt agricultural supply chains, increase post-harvest losses, and contribute to income insecurity among smallholder farmers. This paper examines agri-supply chains in climate-vulnerable regions, including Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, from 2000 to 2023 through the lens of digital agri-tech. Using time-series datasets from BRAC, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), FAO, GSMA, and the World Bank, the study analyzes changes in post-harvest losses, access to cold storage, agri-tech adoption, and yield volatility. The findings indicate that the proportion of farmers using digital platforms increased from 0.1% to 86%, while post-harvest losses declined from 25% to 14%. Yield volatility also decreased by 45%, supported by AI-, drone-, and IoT-based agricultural advisories. Despite these gains, challenges remain, particularly in 4G connectivity, gender inclusion, and digital literacy. The study suggests that stronger policies supporting accessible and localized digital ecosystems are essential for building sustainable agricultural resilience in Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable countries.