, May 26 -- Economists and sector experts have urged the government to prioritize the agriculture sector in the upcoming national budget for the fiscal year FY2026-27, warning that the continued decline in budgetary allocation could jeopardize long-term food security and inflation control.

The call comes ahead of the national budget announcement scheduled for June 11, with a projected outlay of nearly Tk 9.38 lakh crore.

Despite being a key economic driver that ensures food security, generates 40 percent of total employment, and keeps the rural economy functional, agriculture's share in the national budget has been under 10 percent for the last 14 consecutive fiscal years. In the ongoing FY 2025-26, the allocation plummeted to a record ...