Drones and AI to Modernize Agriculture, Announces Agriculture Minister

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin ur Rashid shared this information in the National Parliament on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, while responding to a query from Opposition Member Masum Mostafa. The Minister emphasized that the government has already initiated "Precision Agriculture" systems to reduce production costs and boost farmers' income through data-driven strategies.

The Agriculture Minister further noted that on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the Prime Minister inaugurated the pilot phase of the "Farmer Card" program across 11 upazilas. This card will grant farmers access to ten specialized services, most notably ensuring fair prices by allowing them to sell products directly to the market. Additionally, under the "Partner Project," a "One-Stop Service Hub" will be established in every region to provide agricultural inputs, expert consultation, and marketing facilities. To enhance transparency in the modern marketing system, a digital platform named "Smart Agriculture Market" is being developed to connect farmers directly with consumers.

In a bid to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of local growers, the Minister announced the formation of "Farmer Business Schools," each consisting of 25 members, where farmers and entrepreneurs will collaborate. The government is also prioritizing the innovation of high-yielding and high-value crop varieties. Furthermore, the seed prices for contract farmers under the BADC are being aligned with market rates and production costs to ensure that marginal farmers remain financially protected and are not adversely affected by market fluctuations.