Smart agri plan to combat climate change impacts
Staff Reporter :
In line with its commitment to transforming Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous nation, the government has unveiled an ambitious plan for smart agriculture aimed at addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
In order to achieve the goal, the government has proposed an allocation of Tk 35,374 crore for the agriculture sector (agriculture, food and fisheries and livestock) in the FY2023-24 which was Tk 33,698 crore in FY2022-23.
Under the plan, Tk 24,118 crore has been allocated for agriculture, Tk 6,016 crore for food, and Tk 4,240 crore for fisheries and livestock.
While presenting the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 in parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal proposed the allocation for the sector.
In his budget speech, the minister said, “The comprehensive “Integrated Action Plan for Agricultural Development 2022″ encompasses various innovative strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security in the face of adverse climate conditions.”
Under the plan, significant progress has already been made in cultivating resilient rice varieties capable of withstanding salinity and other adversities. The country has also implemented measures to increase cropping intensity, taking into account its diverse topography, he said.
He also mentioned that cutting-edge farming techniques such as vertical farming, floating agriculture, rooftop agriculture, hydroponics, aeroponics, and precision agriculture are being embraced to boost production capacity. Additionally, the government is actively promoting the use of ocean resources for agricultural purposes.
To facilitate the transition towards digital agriculture, the government has initiated the “Smart Krishi Card and Digital Agriculture (Pilot) Project (2022-2026)” and the “Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project (2022-2025)”, he said.
In the fisheries and livestock sectors, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in fish production, ranking among the top global producers of various fish species. The country has implemented measures for the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources through the “Blue Economy and Fisheries” action plan, Kamal said.
Furthermore, the government has the focus on modernizing the fisheries sector by introducing advancements in breeding techniques, vaccination development, and hatchery management, he said.
About the livestock sector, he said, ‘Efforts are directed towards disease control and doubling production.”
He also mentioned that the government has successfully achieved self-sufficiency in meat, egg, and milk production, with plans to further increase milk availability through breed development.
He said, “Due to the agro-friendly policies, the production of rice, maize, potato, vegetables and fruits including other crops is continuously increasing. Globally, Bangladesh ranks third in rice production, second in jute production, fourth in tea production, first in hilsa production, second in fish production, third in vegetable and onion production, seventh in potato and mango production, fourth in goat production and seventh in mutton production in the world.”
