Fields to Phones: Digital Revolution in Bangladesh Agriculture

Tanzila Rahman

Tanzila Rahman

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the contribution of Agriculture in FY 2021-22 is about 11.50%. Agriculture employs about 40% of Bangladesh population. In recent years Bangladesh has made a significant transformation in agriculture sector through adoption of digital technology.

Digitalization has played a pivotal role in connecting farmers to valuable information, resources, and markets. From the traditional agricultural practices that relied heavily on manual labor and local knowledge, Bangladesh has shifted to data-driven, tech-based farming solutions. This transformation is shaping food security, economic empowerment, and rural development for millions.

Current scenario of Agriculture in Bangladesh While rice, jute, and vegetables dominate as primary crops, challenges like climate change, unpredictable weather, and limited technology access persist.

Recognizing these issues, the government, along with private and international partners, has turned to digital solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.

Digital Innovations in Bangladesh Agriculture --Mobile Applications: Platforms like "Krishi Call Center" and "Krishoker Digital Thikana" deliver critical information on crop care, disease management, and market prices. By 2022, these services reached over 20 million farmers, resulting in a 12% crop yield increase in some areas.

--Weather Forecasting & Crop Insurance: Digital Weather Forecasting accessible via mobile devices and crop insurance has gained popularity, protecting about 3 million farmers from financial loss due to extreme weather.

--Digital Financial Services: Mobile banking solutions such as bKash simplify loans and payments. In 2023, farmer loans through digital platforms rose by 27%, enabling more investment in quality farming inputs.

Smart Farming & Internet of Things (IoT): IoT sensors monitor soil moisture and pest levels, enhancing resource management. A pilot project involving 500 farms reported a 15% yield increase through precision agriculture.

--Digital Marketplaces: Platforms like "Shop" connect farmers directly with buyers, reducing intermediary costs and increasing farmer income by an average of 20%.

Government and Policy Support

Since 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture has prioritized digitalization through the National Agriculture Policy, funding e-governance and digital literacy programs. The following steps has been taken:

1. Digital Information Hubs: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set up over 200 Digital Information Centers across rural areas, reaching approximately 5 million farmers with up-to-date farming knowledge.

2. Krishi Call Center: This helpline, established in 2016, assists farmers with pest control, crop selection, and climate resilience. By 2022, it had fielded over 4 million calls.

3. Pest Risk Assessment and Management System (PRAMS): This platform uses IoT data to predict pest infestations, saving over 200,000 acres of crops in 2022.

4. Digital Literacy Programs: Training workshops by DAE have educated over 150,000 farmers on digital tools. By 2022, 78% of trained farmers reported improved yields and market access.

5. Tech Partnerships: Collaborations with tech companies, such as the a2i program, have helped develop apps like “Krishoker Digital Thikana,” which provides real-time weather and soil updates to over 1  million farmers.

Impact of DAE’s Initiatives

Increased Crop Yields: Digital tools have boosted yields by 10-15% for trained farmers.

Economic Gains: Farmers using digital platforms reported a 20% income increase through reduced costs and direct market access.

Disaster Preparedness: Digital tools have helped reduce crop losses from extreme weather and pest outbreaks.

Future Outlook

The DAE plans to expand its digital footprint by establishing more Digital Information Centers, enhancing mobile app offerings, and partnering with tech firms, aiming to support sustainable agricultural growth and food security.

Future road to digital agriculture of DAE

As digital agriculture continues to evolve, DAE plans to expand its reach by establishing additional Digital Information Centers, offering more mobile applications, and strengthening partnerships with private tech firms. The department’s  commitment to digital agriculture is set to benefit Bangladesh’s smallholder farmers, ensuring sustainable agricultural growth and bolstering food security in the face of climate change.

Winding up

In winding up the foregoing discussion it may be concluded that the digital revolution is empowering Bangladeshi farmers, transforming their practices from fields to phones. With access to digital tools, Bangladeshi farmers are better prepared to tackle climate challenges, increase productivity, and build sustainable livelihoods. This shift promises not only to enhance food security within Bangladesh but also to position the country as a model for digital agriculture in South Asia. Meanwhile, this author feels that famers need to connect to more effectively with the customers through digital marketplaces for ensuring easy marketing of their produce thereby help them to get fair price of their agricultural products. This will also release the farmers from the mental stresses they pass through for selling their harvest in genuine price.

(Tanzila Rahman (BCS-Agri) is Upazila Agriculture Officer, Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Ramu, Cox’s Bazar)