The story of farmers in our country cultivating quinoa, a crop with niche appeal but high value, and its subsequent neglect is a disheartening reality that seems to be all-too-common for our nation.
This is an initiative that should have been celebrated and supported. Instead, that these farmers are struggling to find buyers, or fair prices for their efforts in growing this crop, all the while urban consumers in Dhaka and Chittagong continue to consume imported quinoa at exorbitant prices, is nothing if not a failure.
It is also a contradiction that is not only unfair but short‑sighted.
Farmers who dare to diversify are pioneers who take risks not just for themselves, but for our nation’s agricultural future. Crops like quinoa, with global demand and nutritional value, can open new markets, improve food security, and raise incomes.
However, without support in creating a proper supply chain, in addition to a stable market, these farmers are left vulnerable, with their innovation ultimately punished rather than rewarded.
There is no reason why the government and private sector cannot step in. Extension services, market linkages, and fair procurement policies are essential.
If supermarkets can sell imported quinoa at the prices we see, surely we can source locally-grown quinoa and assist our farmers with preparing this grain properly.
The same logic applies to other high‑value crops such as chia and avocado that our farmers may experiment with but ultimately give up on as a result of a lack of support.
Reliance on a narrow set of crops leaves farmers exposed to climate shocks and market volatility. Supporting innovation at the grassroots level must be looked at for what it is -- a prudent investment in the future of our agriculture.
