AI tools can be a game changer in procuring low-cost products
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu called upon the technologists to create a digital platform for obtaining such information as products are available at relatively low prices in any part of the country. At the same time, highlighting the importance of agriculture and information technology, the Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Division Md. Shamsul Arefin has requested the youth to come forward to ensure the development and use of information technology in this sector for the benefit of farmers.
They made such a call at a seminar organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at Motijheel on Thursday.
DCCI Senior Vice President Malik Talha Ismail Bari delivered the welcome speech in the seminar presided over by Dhaka Chamber President Ashraf Ahmed. The keynote was presented by Mohammad Saqib Khaled, Senior Manager, SwissContact and Fahad Ifaz, Co-Founder and CEO, iFarmer Limited. In the presentation, they made separate demonstrations based on the existing problems in agriculture (inadequate database, logistics system, production cost, cost of harvesting, dealing with adverse climate etc.) and suggestions.
Fahad Ifaz said, AI and frontier technology will become the helper of farmers in the coming days. Using various platforms like drones, remote-controlling sensors, AI using satellite images, machine learning will build a value chain between producers, suppliers, sellers and consumers. Farmers will be able to know when to produce, how to care for them and even what their market value will be at harvest through AI.
DCCI Vice President Md. Junaid Ibn Ali and members of the Board of Directors were present at that time.
While speaking as the chief guest in the event, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu said that products are available at relatively low prices, it is necessary to create a platform for obtaining such information. Focus on how you harness the smartness of farmers with technology. Instead of creating the technology and going to the user, provide the technology that the user needs.
He said, farmers do not get fare price in our country. Again, the consumer has to buy the product at an additional price. That means there is a problem in the middle. We have to set this supply chain value chain. That's why those who are working in IT, who can go to Uttara from here, use google map on their mobile to find the easiest route to Uttara. So, I think, this is how an AI technology that you can figure out where to get onions at the lowest price can bring into a system, but that can be a game changer. If we can go to the destination by the shortest route on the Google map, then why can't we create a need-based technology to get products cheaply? If you don't build the technology around the user's needs, it's very difficult to feed them. So, the farmer's working process should be automated as per their requirement.
At the same time, the minister also said that there is no alternative to formulating an information structure useful for farmers. The government has made 'National Logistics Policy 2024' for the development of import and export along with the value chain, which all entrepreneurs should know.
While speaking as special guest, Md. Shamsul Arefin Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Division said in short that, the farmers of the future must be smarter than us. Although, they are still smart. Because they can tell if it will rain, only by looking at the sky. Now if we can adapt the technology to them, they will be much smarter. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the creation and use of information technology in this sector by making it suitable for the farmers of the country. We have seen the interest of the young community in the agriculture sector during the pandemic. Many have gone into agriculture after university, which is very encouraging. There is a need for more innovation in this sector. Agriculture should be brought into the circular economy through the use of technology. By-products of agriculture should be reused. This is how I learned today that electricity is generated from trees. Plants absorb water and transfer it to their leaves through a process called transpiration. During this process the fluid in the plant is accelerated which creates an electric current.
