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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has undertaken a wide range of initiatives to transform Bangladesh’s agriculture into a modern, technology-driven and profitable sector capable of meeting future challenges.
Speaking during the question-answer session in Parliament with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair, the prime minister said the government is promoting research, innovation and mechanisation to reduce dependence on labour-intensive farming and boost productivity.
Replying to a question from Cumilla-9 lawmaker Md Abul Kalam, Tarique said the government is expanding the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in agriculture, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), remote sensing, drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite data and big data.
He said these technologies will enable authorities and farmers to monitor crop health and yields, detect diseases at an early stage, improve fertiliser and irrigation management and make production planning more scientific and efficient.
The prime minister said the government also plans to introduce precision agriculture to reduce production costs, increase farm productivity and raise farmers’ incomes through data-driven farming practices.
He said the agricultural sector would be further modernised through appropriate policy support and incentives to ensure balanced, safe and nutritious food production.
Tarique said the government is also developing the Khamari App, a digital platform that will provide farmers with real-time information on suitable crops for different regions and seasons, fertiliser requirements, 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.
The prime minister said the government’s long-term goal is to build a climate-resilient, technology-based and commercially viable agricultural sector that can ensure sustainable food security and promote rural economic development.