Bangladesh is located within 20.34 - 26.38 north latitudes and 88.10 - 92.41 east longitudes. The deltaic Bangladesh is unique in her richness in biodiversity, genetic resources and nurtures diverse ecosystems making the a fertile base for food, fibers, fuel woods, medicines, construction materials and other necessities of life. However, more than 150 million people live on 1,47,570 sq km. About 85% of the population who are living in the rural areas of Bangladesh are mostly small, marginal and landless farmers and fully depended on agriculture. Farms are usually very small due to heavily increasing population, unwieldy land ownership, and inheritance regulations. Half of the population now lives below the absolute poverty line as measured by the minimum calorie intake of 2122 kcal/day. On the same basis approximately one fourth of the population consuming less than 1805 kcal/day, are the hard-core poor. Moreover, the diet is not balanced as 85% of the calorie and 60% of the protein intake is derived from cereals.

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