Smart agriculture can break agricultural product syndicates in Bangladesh: Experts

Smart agriculture holds great potential in Bangladesh, as it can significantly enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to the country's economy and agricultural system, according to experts.

Talking to UNB, they explained that smart agriculture involves the direct delivery of agricultural products from farmers to consumers through digital platforms, reducing the interference of middlemen and allowing farmers to receive fair prices for their produce.

"This approach could help dismantle the syndicates responsible for high prices of agricultural products," said Dr Md Shahiduzzaman, Director of the Smart Agriculture Department and a Professor in the Department of Parasitology at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).

Dr Shahiduzzaman said that smart agriculture refers to the use of information technology and innovative agricultural practices to make farming more efficient, profitable and sustainable.

"Techniques like satellite imaging, drones, sensors, and GPS technology collect data on soil quality, moisture, and temperature, allowing farmers to apply irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides accurately. Data analytics also helps predict crop yields, understand climate change impacts, and anticipate pest infestations, aiding effective planning," he added.

Discussing the benefits of smart agriculture, Dr Shahiduzzaman said that it could address challenges posed by climate change, floods and droughts, and ensuring food security.

By utilising advanced seeds and agricultural practices, he said, farmers can cultivate more productive and climate-resilient crops, boosting agricultural production in Bangladesh. Innovative technologies enable farmers to thrive even in adverse environmental conditions, Dr Shahiduzzaman added.

He highlighted that smart tractors, robotic harvesters, and automated irrigation systems can significantly reduce costs and time in agricultural operations. "These innovations help increase production while decreasing dependency on labour. The Internet of Things (IoT) allows smart sensors and devices to collect real-time data on soil health, moisture levels, and other environmental parameters, facilitating swift decision-making."

According to Dr Shahiduzzaman, the various smart agriculture technologies are making agricultural processes simpler and more effective while creating new opportunities that can advance agricultural production and sustainable farming.

Prof Dr Mohammad Mofizur Rahman Jahangir from the Soil Science Department and Dr M Wakilur Rahman from the Rural Sociology Department of BAU also emphasised the role of smart agriculture in soil preservation and employment generation.

Highlighting the significance of pesticides in smart agriculture, Dr Jahangir mentioned that the appropriate use of pesticides is integral to this approach.

Smart agricultural technologies enable timely detection and management of pest attacks and crop diseases. It also helps determine the right amount, timing, and method for pesticide application, ensuring that farmers ultimately benefit, he said.

Dr Jahangir explained that while organic fertilisers enhance soil fertility by increasing microbial populations, they do not eliminate weeds, posing a challenge for agricultural production. The use of pesticides may affect some non-target microorganisms, but generally, their populations stabilise after initial exposure, he added.

Prof Jahangir cited an example from his research, stating that when herbicides were applied to soil with nitrifying microbial populations, the population initially decreased slightly over the first 15 days. However, after that period, the population numbers returned to normal.

On the employment aspect of smart agriculture, Prof Dr Wakilur Rahman remarked that widespread implementation would not lead to job losses but would foster the emergence of new entrepreneurs.

He noted that many currently engaged in agriculture are transitioning to other professions, leading to an increase in uncultivated land. Commercialising smart agriculture could make previously unused land arable and secure economic benefits.

He also stressed that the agricultural sector faces significant gaps that must be addressed to avoid future challenges. Controlled environments, such as greenhouses, can provide opportunities for demand-driven agricultural production. Making agriculture profitable and commercially viable is crucial, necessitating extensive implementation of smart agriculture.

Dr Shahiduzzaman, however, pointed out that effective implementation of smart agriculture in Bangladesh requires government and private sector initiatives.

"Infrastructure improvements (internet and electricity), along with training and support for farmers, are critical. Many farmers lack familiarity with modern agricultural technologies, and the fragmentation of arable land complicates the effective deployment of drones and advanced machinery, increasing production costs," he added.