The State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that the smart agriculture pilot project is being implemented in 10 villages in the country under the initiative of the ICT Division with the aim of increasing agricultural production, reducing the overall cost of water and fertilizers and pesticides. He said that by using modern technologies such as internet of things, data analytics, drones, machine learning robotics in agriculture, on the one hand, agricultural production will increase, on the other hand, educated youth will also be encouraged to work in agriculture.
The state minister said these things in the chief guest’s speech today on Monday, joining the online distribution ceremony of Aush paddy seeds and fertilizers among 6000 small marginal farmers of Singra Upazila.
Singra Upazila Executive Officer Mahmuda Khatun presided over the event, among others Singra Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Shamima Haque Rozi, Union Parishad No. 12 Chairman Zakir Hossain, local Awami League leaders and farmers of the area were present.
Palak said that the Sonar Bangla of Bangabandhu’s dream has been established under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Our farmers have smiles on their faces. Today, Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food because the farmers are getting support in everything including fertilizers, oil, seeds and electricity at fair prices on time.
The state minister said that under the guidance of Prime Minister’s ICT affairs advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy, we are starting smart agriculture program with the aim of building a smart Bangladesh.
The main objective of smart agriculture program is how to make the best use of technology with less resource investment to increase production. He said if we can produce more crops with less water, less fertilizers, fewer pesticides, then the cost in agriculture will be saved and production will increase. As a result, it is possible to meet the food and nutritional needs of 17 crore people.
Later, the State Minister officially inaugurated the Prime Minister’s Gift Aush Paddy Seeds and Fertilizers among the farmers of Singra Upazila.