Expatriate Bangladeshis have sparked a new agricultural revolution in Qatar. Once employed in labour-intensive jobs, they now see huge potential in farming, and say they could go much further with the Bangladesh government's support.

Ten years ago, Farid from Chattogram set an example by clearing gravel from the desert and ploughing with a donkey to farm in Qatar. Following him, the picture changed. Now thousands of farms have been built under the supervision of expatriate Bangladeshis in Al Khor, Zubara, Shahaniya and other areas, some in polynet houses and some in open fields cleared of gravel.

Qataris have also understood the benefits of farming: they lease out land and enjoy the full government subsidies. The entrepreneurs say their deprivation and neglect begin at home, and favourable measures would benefit Bangladesh itself.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.