In the heartland of Bangladesh, where agriculture forms the very foundation of its economy, a profound transformation is unfurling, driven by the synergy of agri-tech—a potent amalgamation of technology and agriculture. Agriculture, wielding an impressive 11.66% contribution to the GDP and engaging 45.3% of the workforce, stands as a linchpin for food security and poverty alleviation. Entrenched challenges plague Bangladesh’s agriculture such as conventional methods limit productivity, disjointed supply chains hinder profits, and climate change threatens output.
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However, Agri-tech offers innovative solutions to this conundrum, promising to alleviate these woes and propel the sector towards sustainable growth. Precision agriculture, harnessed through the prowess of data analytics, sensors, and satellites, stands as a beacon of hope, promising a 30-40% surge in crop yields while curbing water consumption by 20-30%, as substantiated by research from the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Simultaneously, the ascent of e-commerce platforms looms large, with projections forecasting Bangladesh’s online grocery market to burgeon to US$3.2 billion by 2025, seamlessly linking farmers with consumers and amplifying their earning potential. Furthermore, the advent of climate-smart agriculture techniques heralds indispensable adaptation strategies. A report by the FAO in 2023 underscores the efficacy of drought-resistant crop varieties, heralding a yield surge of up to 20% in arid regions, thus underlining their pivotal role in buffering against the ravages of climate change.
Innovations and Progress in Bangladesh’s Agriculture
In Bangladesh, traditional fertilization methods yield self-sufficiency. Farmers turn to compost and manure, guided by soil testing for precision. Biofertilizers harness microorganisms to enhance nutrient absorption. Yet, pesticide misuse looms, driving efforts toward integrated pest management. Private seed companies fuel farmers’ aspirations, offering high-yielding, disease-resistant seeds like BRRI Dhan 28 and 29, promising brighter futures and increased rice yields.
This empowerment translates into informed decisions and a significant increase in crop yields, estimated at 10-15% according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2023).
iFarmer’s Rocky-55, an F1 hybrid corn seed, heralds’ exceptional yields, with low moisture content (13-14%) and robust plants yielding 8-10 tons per hectare. iFarmer educates farmers on optimal utilization, envisioning “Smart Bangladesh’s Smart Agriculture,” where farming catalyzes sustainability and prosperity, fortifying food security. Bangladesh’s agriculture sustains millions, with IFAD’s 45-year partnership symbolizing resilience.
Over four and a half decades, IFAD’s backing, spanning 37 projects and mobilizing $3.9 billion, has transformed the lives of over 11 million families. From rural finance to climate-smart agriculture, this support has been vital for our agricultural prowess, and its importance will only grow in our evolving landscape.
However, with agriculture employing 46% of our workforce and nearly 16 million smallholder farmers, it’s pivotal for the government’s agenda on food security and hunger alleviation.
In recent years, Bangladesh’s agricultural landscape has undergone a quiet revolution, powered by technology’s subtle yet potent influence. Mobile applications offer farmers weather forecasts and market insights, empowering informed decision-making. Precision agriculture techniques boost yields while conserving resources. Satellite imagery provides real-time crop monitoring, averting pest outbreaks. These innovations are not just impressive; they’re essential pillars in a nation where every grain matters.
Beyond numbers, this sector pulses as the nation’s economic lifeblood, contributing 11.63% to GDP in 2021 and supporting over a third of the population. Yet, it’s a tale of sweat and toil under the sun, weaving resilience amidst nature’s tumult.
The Promise of Autonomous Machines
Within this narrative, systemic hurdles loom large. Fragmented value chains leave farmers financially vulnerable, while limited access to quality inputs traps them in cycles of high costs and low productivity. Smallholders, excluded from formal finance, struggle with exorbitant rates, and slow tech adoption stifles innovation.
With Bangladesh’s population set to reach 230-250 million by 2050, the urgency for action grows. Each year adds two million more to its populace, while the nation loses 1% of its agricultural land annually. The need to boost production and supply nutrient-rich diets becomes clear. Modern technologies like IoTs, machine learning, AI, and big data promise a seismic shift towards agricultural modernization.
Bangladesh aims for sustainable, safe, and profitable agriculture amidst challenges. However, with 16.5 million small farm holdings averaging 0.60 hectares each, the path is filled with obstacles. Diminishing arable land is a concern due to competing interests in infrastructure and urban sprawl. It’s a race against time to balance economic imperatives with environmental stewardship.
In Bangladesh’s agricultural realm, the mantra of ‘productivity, sustainability, and profitability’ promises to reshape the landscape. While conventional wisdom may favor mechanization for large fields, the future lies in sustainable intensification tailored to smallholders. Enter ‘crop robots’, low-cost autonomous machines poised to revolutionize farming without the need for extensive restructuring. With precision and efficiency, they maximize yield on irregular plots, heralding a new era of innovation and prosperity.
Envision a landscape where precision applications target inputs with surgical precision, slashing wastage and maximizing yield on-the-go. Imagine data guiding farm planning and shaping future decisions. This is the vision autonomous machines breathe life into, steering farming towards tailored agroecological practices.
But the benefits extend beyond. Agritech solutions unlock untapped potential, propelling land productivity forward cost-effectively. With smart autonomous machines, no crop domain is beyond reach. Subsidies may kickstart adoption, but long-term sustainability lies in owner-operated service markets and innovative business models, empowered by venture capital funds and partnerships.
Past, Present, and Future of Agriculture in Bangladesh
This isn’t just a technological shift; it’s a paradigmatic realignment, linking Bangladesh’s agricultural vision with broader aspirations like the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
In recent years, Bangladesh’s agricultural sector has witnessed a remarkable transformation, marked by significant advancements in food production, cropping intensity, commercialization, and diversification. A standout example is the tripling of food grain production from 9.8 million tons in 1972 to 38.7 million tons in 2020-2021, highlighting its pivotal role in the nation’s economy.
Moreover, since the early 2000s, agriculture has played a crucial role in poverty reduction, contributing to a staggering 90% decrease between 2005 and 2010. With approximately 45% of the population engaged in agricultural activities according to the 2022 Labor Force Survey, it remains the primary source of employment generation in the country.
Beneath Bangladesh’s agricultural success lies a sobering reality: labor productivity lags behind other sectors, with the sector’s GDP contribution declining from 18.4% in FY2009-10 to 11.2% in FY2022-23. Household reliance on farming has decreased, while mixed households have surged. And in FY 2021-22, the agricultural sector contributed around 12% (11.66%) to the GDP.
As Bangladesh’s population heads towards 190 million by 2030, agricultural productivity becomes crucial, with a projected 25% increase in food grain demand. Amidst evolving demographics, agricultural sector development is vital for Bangladesh’s food security architecture.
With a commitment to food self-sufficiency, Bangladesh cultivates rice, wheat, maize, mustard, potatoes, and various fruits and vegetables across 161 lakh hectares of cropland. It ranks 3rd globally in rice and vegetable production and 2nd in fishery, highlighting its agricultural prowess.
