Weather-smart farming and precision agriculture: Securing Bangladesh’s food future

Agriculture is a major driver of a country's income and GDP. Precision and weather-smart agriculture help farmers and policymakers adopt good agricultural practices (GAPs) for sustainable production and socio-economic improvement, especially under changing climatic conditions.

Agriculture is a major driving force of a country's income and GDP. Precision and weather-smart agriculture help farmers and policymakers adopt good agricultural practices (GAPs) for sustainable production and socio-economic improvement, especially under changing climatic conditions.

Scientific advancements have enabled agricultural scientists to develop improved crop varieties and technologies that help farmers optimize resource use, reduce environmental pressures, and maximize yields. Precision agriculture empowers farmers to make better decisions on judicial application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, lowering costs thus promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices and sustainability.

Developed countries have greatly benefited from precision and climate-resilient technologies. Sophisticated meteorological apps and models provide accurate weather forecasts, supporting sustainable crop production and advanced, data-driven insights. Precision farming relies on timely meteorological information, enabling smarter interventions and tailored farm management.

Weather monitoring systems provide real-time data crucial for all farming stages. By integrating accurate weather forecasts, farmers can anticipate climatic trends, mitigate risks, and streamline operations. Localized weather data improves outcomes, making farming more efficient and resilient to climate challenges.

Advanced sensors now allow continuous monitoring of key weather elements—sunshine, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed—which drive agricultural productivity. This hyper-local data enables quick decisions on sowing, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, reducing costly mistakes from generalized forecasts.

Precision agriculture also integrates soil data—moisture and nutrients—with weather patterns to determine the best planting and harvesting times. Farmers can adjust seed, fertilizer, and irrigation inputs precisely for each growth stage. Soil moisture sensors prevent overwatering, reducing nutrient loss, root disease, and water waste. Real-time monitoring helps farmers respond to prevailing rainfall and temperature changes, making irrigation and fertilization far more efficient.

This synergy between soil and weather data improves crop yield and resource efficiency. Predictive models provide actionable insights, enabling smarter field management and long-term sustainability. Soil monitoring also helps correct field conditions before sowing, ensuring optimal productivity.

Smart agriculture, rooted in rigorous research, is spreading through the work of research institutes, universities, and extension workers. Local scientists are studying improved crop production, maintaining international collaborations, and gradually integrating digital weather-based systems into our agriculture.

While our systems still lag behind developed nations, Bangladesh is progressing through a blend of research, technology adoption, and farmer engagement. Despite limitations in agricultural research and meteorological infrastructure, farmers are achieving strong yields using modern high-yield varieties and agronomic practices suited to local conditions.

Research institutes have released several outstanding crop varieties that withstand climate variability and deliver improved yields. This integration of precision agriculture, weather-smart farming, and scientific innovation is helping bridge gaps, ensuring better productivity even under climatic pressures, and securing the future agriculture in Bangladesh

From Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI)

From Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI), Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU)

From Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI)

From Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU)

Our National Research Institutes and Agricultural Universities have been driving progress by developing improved crop varieties and agronomic practices, including land preparation, timely sowing and harvesting, soil-specific fertilization, irrigation, and weeding methods. Scientists are addressing challenges like salinity, floods, droughts, and heavy rainfall—impacts of global warming—while studying how crops respond to these changing conditions.

To ensure food and nutrition security for Bangladesh's growing population, it is vital to strengthen our research systems to match those of developed nations following weather-smart farming and precision agriculture. Government support is essential to empower agricultural scientists and sustain research capable of mitigating climate impacts and improving crop quality.

Additionally, advancing farm mechanization can ease farmers' workloads, improve livelihoods, and accelerate the shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture—boosting both farmers' prosperity and national development.