Latest technologies can increase crop production

RANGPUR, Nov 7:  Adoption and popularisation of the climate resilient cropping patterns with latest technologies can further increase crop production at reduced costs to attain sustainable food security despite adverse impacts of climate change. Adoption of conservation agriculture (CA)-based technologies side by side mechanisation of agriculture has already been making farm activities more profitable for the farmers improving environment, ecology, bio-diversity, soil health and fertility. Associate Director- Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia and Africa) Dr MA Mazid said adoption of the latest technologies reduces crop durations, helps pair-row-sugarcane farming with mugbean/chilly intercropping, nutrient- fertiliser managements, drought escaping and lower labour, fuel and irrigation costs. He narrated as how the farmers are now being benefited through using the CA-based minimum tillage or zero tillage, direct seeded rice, bed- planting in light texture soil at different areas in the country amid changing climate. Executive Director of North Bengal Institute of Development Studies Dr Syed Samsuzzaman said adoption of the latest technologies and mechanisation of agriculture increase crop yield, save water, facilitate crop intensification and remunerative markets. He suggested for expanded farming of short duration, drought- , saline- and flood- tolerant rice adopting rice- wheat-mugbean/jute, rice-potato-relay/maize, rice- vegetables- wheat, rice-sugarcane with garlic, onion/vegetables cropping patterns. To facilitate the process, he stressed quicker dissemination of the latest technologies among the farmers with increased subsidies for easier procurement of the necessary machineries, inputs, spares and other materials by them.    — BSS