What does agrarian capitalism really look like in Bangladesh? In this compelling episode of Indian Ocean, Prof. M. M. Akash, one of Bangladesh's leading economists, joins host Vinod Koshti from RLS, South Asia to explore the layered realities of rural life, agricultural labour, and evolving class structures. From the resilience of smallholder farmers and the rise of bottom-up capitalism to the critical role of women and the precarious future of agricultural workers, this conversation offers rare, on-the-ground insights into the shifting socio-economic landscape of rural Bangladesh. Prof. Akash also speaks candidly about the threats posed by corporate agribusiness, the future of 21st-century socialism, and the urgent need for fair trade and dignified wages.”

Listen in to understand why Bangladesh’s countryside is both a site of survival struggle and a space of hope—and why it matters to all of us, globally.