Smart farming: Rethinking Bangladesh’s agricultural transformation

Bangladesh has become a global food powerhouse, driven by farmers’ toil, scientific innovation, and strategic agricultural leadership. Photo: TBS

Agricultural history has essentially been built on hard work, experience, and generational heritage. Bangladesh's agriculture is no exception. Let me begin with a familiar story. On a hot summer day, a crow was desperately thirsty. After searching for a long time, it spotted a pitcher at some distance. However, the water level in the pitcher was so low that the crow's beak could not reach it. Unable to find a solution at first, the crow eventually had an idea. Using its intelligence, it picked up small pebbles lying nearby and dropped them into the pitcher one by one. After much effort, the water level gradually rose. Finally, the crow was able to drink the water and quench its thirst. This story is a powerful example of how hard work combined with intelligence plays a crucial role on the path to success.

The story of Bangladesh's agricultural transformation from labour-intensive to knowledge-based agriculture closely resembles that of the thirsty crow. This transformation emerged out of necessity. Since the dawn of civilisation, agriculture in this land has been more than a means of food production; it has been the foundation of culture, economy, identity, and independence. Every inch of this soil carries the stories of farmers' sweat, devotion, and sacrifice.

Until the Mughal era, agriculture was the central pillar of the regional economy. During British rule, the zamindari system turned agriculture into a sector of exploitation. In post-Liberation Bangladesh, agriculture was in a state of collapse, burdened by hunger, famine, and extremely low productivity. Guided by the philosophy that "agriculture must be the foundation of development", the government adopted policies to rebuild the sector.

To institutionalise agricultural research and extension, key organisations were established, including the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, and Bangladesh Agricultural University. Later, additional research and development organisations were brought under the umbrella of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).

The results of these well-planned efforts led to a revolution in rice, wheat, and vegetable production from the 1980s onwards. Today, Bangladesh is one of the world's leading food-surplus countries. In rice, vegetables, fish, meat, and dairy production, the country now ranks among the global frontrunners. Behind this transformation lie the tireless efforts of millions of farmers, the innovations of agricultural scientists, and strategic policy direction and leadership within the sector. Agriculture in Bangladesh is no longer merely cultivation—it has become an integrated field driven by knowledge, science, and technology.

Nearly 40% of the labour force is engaged in agriculture, yet the sector contributes only 12–14% to GDP—clear evidence that farmers' labour is undervalued.

Traditional agriculture was labour-dependent; modern agriculture is knowledge-driven. Research laboratories are developing high-yielding varieties, climate-resilient crops, organic fertiliser technologies, and ICT-enabled smart farming systems. Agriculture is shifting from simple production to sustainable production, ensuring a balance between the environment, the economy, and society.

Rice remains the backbone of national food security. The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has developed more than 120 high-yielding rice varieties. Salt-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and flood-tolerant varieties have addressed longstanding cultivation challenges in coastal and environmentally adverse regions. These innovations have transformed Bangladesh into a rice self-sufficient nation. Meanwhile, the growing popularity of improved vegetable and fruit varieties has turned them into export-oriented commodities.

Mechanisation has driven a quiet revolution in Bangladesh's agriculture, accelerating the transition from manual labour to technology. Today, tractors or power tillers are used on nearly 90 % of arable land, while combine harvesters and reaper machines are widely employed for cutting, threshing, and drying rice. This shift has saved farmers time and labour while significantly reducing production costs.

The use of information technology in agriculture is expanding rapidly. Farmers now receive crop disease diagnoses, market prices, weather forecasts, and government support services through mobile devices. With drone imaging, satellite monitoring, and remote-sensing data, soil and field health assessments are becoming increasingly accurate. Bangladesh is gradually entering the era of Smart Agriculture and Agriculture 4.0, where artificial intelligence and internet-based tools enable precise disease detection, optimised fertiliser and water use, and market demand forecasting.

Agriculture in Bangladesh is no longer a male-dominated sector. Women are making significant contributions to seed sowing, transplanting, harvesting, processing, and marketing. At the same time, a new generation of young people is embracing technology to build "smart agri-preneurship". E-commerce-based agricultural platforms, hydroponic farming, and other innovations are opening new dimensions for the sector.

Climate change remains the greatest threat to agriculture. In response, Bangladesh has developed a Climate-Smart Agriculture model focused on increasing productivity, protecting the environment, and strengthening farmer resilience. Salt-tolerant rice is now cultivated in coastal areas, floating gardens have emerged in flood-prone zones, and drip irrigation and solar-powered agriculture are gaining ground in dry regions. Bangladesh's climate-resilient agricultural model has earned international recognition.

However, significant challenges persist. Arable land is shrinking, production costs are rising, and by 2050 nearly 30% of agricultural land may be exposed to climate-related risks. Sustainable agricultural strategies are therefore the only viable path forward.

Despite agriculture being the backbone of the economy and national food security, farmers remain one of the most neglected groups. Nearly 40 % of the labour force is engaged in agriculture, yet the sector contributes only 13–14% to GDP—clear evidence that farmers' labour is undervalued. They often fail to receive fair prices for their produce. This imbalance represents one of the greatest tragedies of rural life.

The marketing system remains dominated by intermediaries. Agricultural products pass through multiple layers before reaching consumers, leaving farmers with the smallest share of profits. Inadequate storage and processing facilities result in annual losses of 25–30% of produce. A well-designed agricultural insurance system could empower farmers to take productive risks and invest with confidence.

The future of agriculture will be shaped by technology. Precision farming, smart greenhouses, drone-based delivery, bioinformatics, and AI-driven agricultural policies will redefine the sector. To remain competitive in the global market, Bangladesh must accelerate its technology-driven agricultural transformation. At the same time, ensuring fair prices through a direct "farmer-to-consumer" marketing system is equally essential.

Bangladesh's progress towards food self-sufficiency and economic growth has been built on the labour of its farmers. Protecting their dignity, security, and rightful earnings must be a national commitment. A sustainable, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural system should stand at the heart of the nation's pledge for the future.

Dr. M. Abdul Momin is an agriculturist, Agricultural Journalist & Senior Communication Officer at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.