Agricultural experts emphasized the necessity of transitioning to smart agriculture to ensure sustainable food security in Bangladesh in the face of future climate change challenges, at a seminar held in Dhaka's Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) conference room on Thursday.
The event, themed "The Role of Smart Agriculture in Building a Smart Bangladesh", was organized by the Agriculture Information Service, reads a press release.
The experts highlighted the importance of using advanced technologies in agriculture, including artificial intelligence, drones and robots.
They further argued that smart agriculture is the only solution for increasing production, reducing production costs, managing labour shortages, regulating fertilizers and pesticides, and improving irrigation efficiency.
Although Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque could not attend the seminar due to unavoidable circumstances, his address was delivered by Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akhtar.
She humorously noted: “You cannot buy anything in Europe without a credit card. I only managed to make some purchases at Walmart using dollars.”
She also highlighted the scale of Canada's agriculture, indicating it was far more extensive than Bangladesh's.
Wahida Akhtar praised Bangladesh's agricultural extension workers, calling them model workers.
She also unveiled an ambitious plan to issue smart cards to 20 million individuals.
Additionally, the agriculture secretary disclosed that agreements are being worked out with some of the world's top universities to promote smart farming in the country.
Regarding exporting agricultural products, Wahida Akhtar said the ministry is working on developing the necessary infrastructure, including modern labs and packing houses, for exporting Bangladesh's agricultural products worldwide within the next two years.
While admitting that Bangladesh has yet to develop the minimum capacity to export from one country to another, the agriculture secretary remained hopeful that this would be achieved in the next two years.
"Young people are showing interest in agriculture. Everyone is concerned about agriculture, which is our greatest opportunity," she added.
Agriculture Information Service Director Surajit Saha Roy extended the welcome speech at the event.
Other distinguished speakers included Sheikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Abdullah Sajjad, chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Badal Chandra Biswas, director general of the Department of Agricultural Extension, and prominent media personality Shykh Seraj.