DOI: 10.36347/sjebm.2020.v07i09.005

Pages: 313-319

The sustainability of conventional development in Bangladesh is under threat from the continuous degradation of natural and artificial resources, and from declining yields due to indiscriminate use of agro-technological sector. An NGO is pursuing efforts to promote ecological development with emphasis on better use of on-profitable resources and the reduction of external inputs. This paper examines the sustainability of two production systems in terms of their environmental soundness, economic viability and social acceptability based on empirical data collected through a household survey, development sector analysis, observations and discussions with key informants. Several indicators were selected to evaluate sustainability. However, no significant variations were found in other indicators such as millennium development and sustainable development in Bangladesh, economic zone and stability, risk and uncertainties, and food security. Although economic zone and financial return were found to be slightly higher in the conventional system, the economic return and value addition per unit of land did not show any difference. The findings suggest that ecological environment has a tendency towards becoming ecologically, economically and socially more sound than conventional system of development, as it requires considerably less agro-based development, adds more economic prosperity to the society, provides balanced food, and requires higher local inputs without markedly compromising output and financial benefits. Broad-policy measures, including the creation of mass awareness of adverse health effects of agro-based products, are outlined for the promotion of ecological security.