Govt pushing smart technologies to build tech-driven agriculture: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (8 July) said the government is implementing a range of initiatives to transform Bangladesh's agriculture into a technology-driven, profitable and sustainable sector through research, digital innovation and mechanisation.

Responding to a question from Kishoreganj-3 lawmaker Md Abul Kalam during the question-and-answer session in Parliament, the prime minister said the government is modernising agriculture by expanding digital farming, promoting smart technologies, increasing farm mechanisation and strengthening climate-resilient agricultural practices.

He said the government plans to bring nearly 2.75 crore farmers under a unified digital platform by distributing farmer cards and developing a nationwide digital farmer database, enabling farmers to directly access government services.

To accelerate digital transformation in the sector, the government has introduced a range of services, including digital farmer registration, mobile-based weather forecasts, market price updates, farming advisories, e-extension services and online agricultural platforms.

The prime minister said agricultural mechanisation is being expanded to reduce production costs, address labour shortages and improve farm productivity and profitability.

He added that the government is also promoting the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, remote sensing, GPS, satellite data and big data to modernise farming.

According to the prime minister, these technologies will enable farmers to monitor crop health, detect pests and diseases at an early stage, improve precision fertiliser and irrigation management, and support data-driven production planning.

He said the government is introducing precision agriculture to lower production costs, increase farmers' incomes and ensure the production of safe, balanced and nutritious food.

The prime minister also highlighted the launch of the Khamari App, which provides farmers with location-specific crop recommendations, fertiliser guidelines, weather forecasts and other agricultural advisory services.

Alongside technological advancement, the government is encouraging the use of organic fertilisers, biofertilisers and environmentally friendly farming methods to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, he said.

He added that efforts are also underway to make the agricultural sector more climate-smart and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Expressing optimism about the ongoing initiatives, the prime minister said they would help make Bangladesh's agriculture more productive, profitable, technology-driven and sustainable while strengthening food security and supporting the country's economic growth.