Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government is implementing a series of initiatives to transform the country's agriculture into a technology-driven, profitable and sustainable sector through research, modern technology and mechanisation.
Replying to a question from Kishoreganj-3 lawmaker Md Abul Kalam during the question-and-answer session at the Jatiya Sangsad, the prime minister said the government has undertaken programmes to expand digital agriculture, bring nearly 27.5 million farmers onto a unified digital platform, promote smart farming technologies, accelerate farm mechanisation and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture.
He also said the government has adopted practical measures to move agriculture away from its traditional, labour-intensive model by promoting research, innovation and mechanisation, making the sector more technology-based, competitive, profitable and environmentally sustainable.
To expand the use of digital technology, the government has launched various initiatives, including farmer registration, a national farmer database, digital agricultural services, mobile-based weather information, market price updates, agricultural advisory services, e-extension services and online platforms for delivering farm support, he added.
The prime minister said a nationwide Farmer Card programme has been introduced to build a comprehensive digital database of farmers and ensure government services are delivered directly to them. Under the initiative, around 27.5 million farmers will be brought under a unified digital platform.
He said the government is also expanding agricultural mechanisation to reduce production costs, address labour shortages and improve farm profitability.
The prime minister added that the government is promoting the use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing, Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, GPS, satellite data and big data in agriculture. These technologies will enable more effective and science-based crop monitoring, early disease detection, precision fertiliser application, efficient irrigation management and better production planning.
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