The Department of Agriculture is set to officially launch a new mobile application named ‘Khamari’ to provide farmers with comprehensive information on fertilizers, seeds, land suitability, and crop diversification to promote sustainable farming. The application will soon incorporate features for small-scale storage facilities for preserving vegetables and fruits. Additionally, initiatives will be taken to enhance self-reliance in agricultural mechanization.
This announcement was made by Agriculture Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury during a press briefing following his visit to the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in Dhaka.
Emphasizing the need for practical and applicable research in the agricultural sector, the advisor urged for an expansion of skilled human resource development. “The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council must take the lead in this effort. Farmers will benefit significantly if research findings reach them effectively. We must also build our capacity in agricultural mechanization to reduce dependence on imports,” he stated.
During the discussion, he highlighted concerns regarding excessive use of fertilizers, warning that overuse reduces soil fertility and incurs significant government expenditure on subsidies.
The advisor also provided an update on the country’s agricultural productivity, noting that food grain production has been promising. “If boro season yields meet expectations, there will be no rice shortages. Additionally, potato and onion production has been good, leading to price reductions,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to price stability during Ramadan, he remarked, “Extortion is a key reason behind rising commodity prices, and the government remains firm in addressing this issue.”
