A joint MoU was signed among the Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Aspire to Innovate-a2i on Wednesday at the ICT Tower in Agargaon of the capital to implement smart agriculture by accelerating the development of agricultural information development and inter-exchange structure and policy making for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Jalal Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md. Tofazzel Hossain and a2i Project Director (Additional Secretary) Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir signed the agreement on behalf of his respective entities.
Under this agreement, a2i will fully cooperate as a catalyst in the smart solutions adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for the implementation of smart agriculture. As a part of this, a2i will cooperate in creating a comprehensive agricultural information standardization and interoperability framework to bring more development in the country’s agricultural system. At the same time, a2i will provide overall support to the two ministries to ensure technological innovation and capacity building of farmers and farmers and optimal use of smart agriculture devices.
Through this, a comprehensive data ecosystem can be ensured in the agricultural sector of the country. As a result, smart solutions suitable for farmers will be created at the marginal stage of agricultural development and the trend of its continuation will be created. 100% involvement of agribusinesses and startups will be ensured and quality data and information exchange trend will increase at inter-ministerial and private level. These three institutions will work together to achieve the goal of Smart Bangladesh through the construction of a smart agricultural system.
Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr. Nahid Rashid said, ‘Now is the time to make our digital innovations smart. As technology evolves, innovations need to increase the use of 4IR and AI-based technologies. We have always had a2i at your side for innovative solutions in the livestock sector. In particular, we want to involve a2i more in the implementation of smart solutions.’
Md. Samsul Arefin, secretary of the ICT department, said, ‘In the development of the country’s agricultural sector, there is little tendency to exchange information at the inter-ministerial and private levels. It will be possible to solve this problem through legislation. Let’s hope that this whole work will play a good role in the dream of the honorable Prime Minister.’
Agriculture Ministry Secretary Wahida Akhter said, ‘Agriculture Ministry is already working on many smart solutions. Innovations that can be scaled up at the national level. We also want to involve those who are working on smart solutions at the private level in this process. I am hoping that a2i’s involvement in this regard will take the development process one step further.’
Project Director (Additional Secretary) of a2i Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said, ‘There is a plan to form a committee in the field of quality development and inter-exchange of agricultural data. a2i is ready to provide all kinds of support for the implementation of a smart agriculture system in Bangladesh and catalyst to the National Committee. Building smart Bangladesh is possible through public-private partnerships at all levels in implementing smart agriculture.
a2i’s Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury said, ‘Now is the time for Bangladesh to lead at the international level. By implementing smart agriculture, Bangladesh can become a leader at the international level. The use of AI technology in agriculture has many opportunities to improve the agriculture sector. Special work can be done in this place. A2i will be by your side throughout the process.’
It is to be noted that the Aspire to Innovate- a2i Bangladesh Government, which is under implementation under the Cabinet Division and the Information and Communication Technology Division and is managed with the support of UNDP, is carrying out various innovative activities for the implementation of Smart Bangladesh.
During the event, Director General of Agriculture Extension Department Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General of Fisheries Department B. Mahbubul Haque, Director General of Directorate of Livestock Dr. Md Emdadul Haque Talukder, a2i’s Program Specialist Innovation Manik Mahmud along with senior officials of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and a2i were present.