Bioinformatics For Raising Agricultural Productivity

Tanzila Rahman, UAO, Ramu, Coxs Bazar

Tanzila Rahman and Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Thanks to rapid scientific and technological progress, the world is witnessing groundbreaking innovations every day, particularly in the fields of medical and agricultural sciences. The Internet has become a powerful medium for sharing these advancements globally, ensuring that new discoveries reach countries across the world. As a result, many of these innovations are transforming human life—making it healthier, easier, and more comfortable than ever before. For instance, Russian’s ‘Entromix’ for colorectal cancer has brought new life to humans.

Bioinformatics is comparatively a new discipline. Application of Bioinformatics to agriculture started in the 1990s and 2000s. Bioinformatics in agriculture integrates biological data with computational tools to enhance crop production and sustainability. This multidisciplinary approach employs genomics, data analysis, and machine learning to significantly improve agricultural practices.

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

By harnessing the power of bioinformatics, researchers can analyze genetic data to develop stress-tolerance crops, optimize yields, raise agricultural productivity, and reduce the reliance on harmful chemicals.

Bioinformatics also play a critical role in Precision Agriculture. It provides information to the farmers through analyzing large datasets collected from sensors, drones, and satellites, etc.

--Monitor crop health in real-time

--Assess soil conditions and nutrient levels

--Predict weather patterns and optimize irrigation

--Apply fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently

Bioinformatics and Genomics, the two intertwined disciplines have made remarkable advances in agricultural productivity worldwide and are increasingly transforming agriculture in Bangladesh. Multiple research institutions and universities in Bangladesh are actively working on bioinformatics and genomics, thereby raising agricultural productivity. They use these technologies to develop new crop varieties with enhanced yield, stress tolerance, pest resistance, and nutritional traits. For example, The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute has released genetically engineered Bt brinjal for pest resistance and working to developing varieties of tomato, potato, and eggplant with disease resistance and better yield, bio fortified crops like vitamin A-enriched eggplants and low glycemic index rice, etc.

Bioinformatics is revolutionizing agriculture by combining biological innovation with computational intelligence. Bangladesh has made significant strides in adopting bioinformatics and genomics approaches to address pressing challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and nutritionalenhancement.

Bioinformatics and genomics demonstrate how data-driven agriculture can empower Bangladesh to address the rising demand for nutritious, resilient crops.

By harnessing these advanced tools, the nation can strengthen food security, enhance crop productivity, and drive sustainable agricultural and economic development.

(Tanzila Rahman is Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO), Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Prof. M Zahidul Haque is an ‘Adjunct Faculty’ in Agricultural Journalism Program at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka)