Govt pushes high-tech overhaul of agriculture

The government’s strategy to modernise Bangladesh’s agriculture by expanding the use of advanced technologies, mechanisation and research to make the sector more productive, competitive and sustainable, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said.

Responding to a question during the question-answer session in Parliament on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the government is shifting agriculture from a traditional, labour-intensive system towards a technology-driven and profitable industry.

The issue was raised by Cumilla-9 lawmaker Abul Kalam, who sought details of the government’s initiatives to promote research, technology and mechanisation in agriculture.

Tarique said the government is integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies into farming, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite data and big data.

According to the Prime Minister, these technologies will enable more accurate monitoring of crop health and yields, early disease detection, improved fertiliser and irrigation management, and more efficient production planning.

He also announced plans to introduce precision agriculture, saying data-driven farming practices and modern technology would help reduce production costs while increasing farmers’ incomes.

The Prime Minister said the agricultural sector would be further restructured through appropriate incentives to ensure balanced, safe and nutritious food production.

He also highlighted the planned launch of the ‘Khamari App’, a digital platform designed to provide farmers with real-time information on suitable crops for different regions and seasons, fertiliser recommendations, weather forecasts and other essential farming advice.

The app is expected to help farmers make informed decisions, improve productivity and minimise production risks, he said.

Tarique said the government’s long-term objective is to build a technology-based, climate-resilient and commercially viable agricultural system capable of ensuring sustainable rural development and long-term food security.