Revolutionising farming: Experts call for adoption of precision agriculture

At a seminar held today (16 July) in Dhaka, experts highlighted the critical need for precision agriculture in Bangladesh to safeguard the environment by applying fertilisers, water, pesticides, and other inputs precisely according to the land's actual needs.

The chief guest, Md Monowar Karim Khan, president of the Soil Science Society of Bangladesh said, "Precision agriculture is not just about boosting crop yields; it's about preserving our soil and environment for future generations."

He urged that proper training and financial support be provided to farmers, adding, "With education and government subsidies, we can spark a revolutionary change in Bangladesh's agriculture."

Organised by ACI Fertilizer and chaired by FH Ansarey, president of ACI Agribusinesses Division, the seminar titled "The Design of Precision Agriculture Framework at Three Different Scale Levels" focused on improving soil health alongside crop production.

Speakers emphasised the role of IoT-based technologies in reducing excessive chemical use, maintaining ecological balance, and conserving foreign currency.

Md Shahidul Islam, former BARI DG, called precision agriculture or climate-smart farming a 'game-changer'. "Despite strides since the 1974 famine and the Green Revolution, food shortages linger because of poor farm-level management. Precision methods can finally bridge the gap between research and actual yields," he explained.

Echoing this, M Jahiruddin, former dean of BAU, pointed out, "Technology can simplify many processes, but its accuracy and effectiveness must be ensured."

Md Baktear Hossain, member director of Natural Resource Management (NRM), highlighted the progress made over five decades but urged focus on new challenges: "Bangladesh's agriculture has advanced significantly, but now we need to reduce post-harvest losses and cut production costs. Many in research, academia, and farming are already embracing precision agriculture, it's time to take it further."

FH Ansarey, president of ACI Agribusiness division, added that precision agriculture, driven by collaboration with scientists and partners, can transform farmers' lives using practical tech solutions like sensors and GPS-equipped harvesters to boost productivity and sustainability despite local constraints.

The keynote was delivered by Prof Ir Jetse Stoorvogel, head of environmental science at the Open University, Netherlands. Md Bashir Ahmed, business director of ACI Fertilizer, opened the seminar with a welcome address.