Farmers grow their crops on mounds built above the level of the floodwaters. All the land suitable for growing agricultural produce is under cultivation so there is no room to grow more crops. New farming technology is the only way to increase the yield of food grown in the country. Bangladesh's economy relies heavily on agriculture. Bangladesh is still a major jute producer, but the crop has declined as an export earner.
Tea is the second most important export.
Rice is grown as a staple food and other agricultural produce includes wheat, corn, sugarcane, oilseeds, potatoes, bananas coconuts, mangoes and tobacco. Fish and shellfish such as shrimps and prawns are an important cash crop. Fish are an essential part of the local diet, which has resulted in the over fishing of the rivers. Other important industries are forestry and the exploitation of the country's resources of natural gas, coal, peat, limestone and clay. Bangladesh is developing its industrial base.