Smart Agriculture Can Disrupt Syndicates in Bangladesh

In conversations with UNB, experts explained that smart agriculture can streamline the delivery of farm products directly from farmers to consumers via digital platforms, reducing the influence of middlemen and ensuring fairer prices for producers.

“This approach can dismantle the monopolistic syndicates that drive up prices for agricultural products,” said Dr. Md Shahiduzzaman, Director of the Smart Agriculture Department and a professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).

Dr. Shahiduzzaman emphasized that smart agriculture involves leveraging modern technologies—such as satellite imaging, drones, sensors, and GPS systems—to optimize farming practices. These technologies collect real-time data on soil quality, moisture, and temperature, allowing for more precise use of irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. Advanced data analytics also aids in predicting crop yields, understanding climate change impacts, and anticipating pest outbreaks, thereby empowering farmers to make better-informed decisions.

According to Dr. Shahiduzzaman, smart agriculture could be a crucial tool in combating the challenges posed by climate change, floods, and droughts, while also ensuring food security. By adopting climate-resilient crops and innovative farming practices, farmers can boost productivity and navigate environmental stresses more effectively.

One of the key advantages of smart agriculture, Dr. Shahiduzzaman explained, is the efficiency brought by automation. Technologies like smart tractors, robotic harvesters, and automated irrigation systems reduce labor costs and time, increasing overall agricultural output. The Internet of Things (IoT) allows for real-time monitoring of key environmental variables, enabling swift, data-driven decision-making that improves farming outcomes.

These innovations are not just simplifying agricultural processes—they are creating new avenues for sustainable and productive farming. “By making farming more efficient and profitable, these technologies can lay the foundation for long-term agricultural growth in Bangladesh,” said Dr. Shahiduzzaman.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mofizur Rahman Jahangir from the Soil Science Department and Dr. M Wakilur Rahman from the Rural Sociology Department at BAU also pointed to smart agriculture’s role in soil preservation and job creation.

Prof. Jahangir emphasized the role of pesticides in smart farming, noting that proper application is key to maintaining crop health. Smart technologies allow for the precise use of pesticides, minimizing waste and ensuring that farmers only use what is necessary. However, he also highlighted challenges, such as the need for organic fertilizers to maintain soil health while still managing weeds effectively.

He shared an example from his research, where herbicide application initially reduced the population of nitrifying microbes in soil, but these levels returned to normal after a short period, showing the resilience of the ecosystem to controlled pesticide use.

On the employment front, Dr. Rahman suggested that while smart agriculture may initially raise concerns about job displacement, it actually holds the potential to create new entrepreneurial opportunities. As many current workers transition to other sectors, the commercialization of smart agriculture could transform previously unused or underutilized land into productive farmland, thereby creating new jobs and income sources.

“Smart agriculture will not only generate employment in the sector but will also help make farming a more attractive and commercially viable career,” said Dr. Rahman.

However, both experts stressed the need for systemic changes to unlock the full potential of smart agriculture. Dr. Shahiduzzaman noted that the widespread adoption of these technologies requires strong government and private sector support.

“Key infrastructure improvements—such as reliable internet and electricity access—are essential for smart agriculture to succeed,” he said. “Additionally, training and support for farmers, many of whom lack familiarity with advanced technologies, are critical to ensuring successful implementation.”

He also pointed out that the fragmentation of arable land in Bangladesh presents challenges in deploying expensive technologies like drones and automated machinery, which could further increase costs if not addressed.

Despite these challenges, the experts remain optimistic about the future of smart agriculture in Bangladesh. With the right investments in technology, infrastructure, and education, the country has the potential to revolutionize its agricultural sector and secure a more sustainable, profitable, and equitable future for its farmers.