Use of technology essential for sustainable agriculture: Agri secy

The 1^st International Conference on Agricultural Machinery and Bioresource Engineering at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has set a new milestone for the future of agriculture in the country.

Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of technology in ensuring sustainable agricultural production while speaking as the chief guest at the conference.

“This conference will open new horizons in the spread of the latest technology in agriculture. The gathering of scientists and industry experts is truly commendable. The world is undergoing significant changes, and the use of technology is crucial to increase agricultural production in the era of the industrial revolution,” said Dr. Emdad.

He further highlighted Bangladesh's position as a global leader in agricultural production, playing a key role in food supply and nutrition security worldwide.

The conference, titled ‘Smart Agricultural Mechanization and Bioresource Utilization towards 4AR’’, marks a significant step towards integrating advanced agricultural technology in Bangladesh.

It was organized by the Bangladesh Society of Agricultural Machinery and Bioresource Engineering (BSAMBE) and the Farm Power and Machinery Department of BAU.

In his address, Dr. Emdad emphasized that adopting and mechanizing agricultural production technologies would reduce costs and enhance the profitability of farmers.

He assured attendees that the Ministry of Agriculture is actively working to adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and implement an agricultural mechanization policy.

He also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in bridging research with industry, especially in areas like smart agriculture, alternative energy, and post-harvest technology.

The inaugural session was held at Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall at BAU, where around 240 scientists, agricultural engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students from countries including the United States, Canada, China, Japan, India, and South Korea gathered.

The event was also graced by Dr. Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh, Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and Dr. Md. Abdullah Yusuf Akhand, Director-General of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).

Additionally, Subrata Ranjan Das, Deputy Managing Director of ACI Motors Limited, was present as a guest of honour.

During the conference, Professor Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Vice-Chancellor of BAU, noted that Bangladesh has entered the era of mechanization in agriculture, following the global trend.

He stressed that mechanization is no longer just an opportunity but a necessity for achieving sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture.

He also highlighted the importance of mechanization in crop production, livestock, fisheries, and rural development.

Furthermore, he pointed out that agricultural technology advancements would not only increase productivity but also generate employment opportunities.

Research papers from 160 presenters were discussed in six technical sessions, one business session, and two poster sessions.

In addition, four major topics were presented in the plenary session.

The conference will award the best papers and posters, with publications in the Journal of Agricultural Machinery and Bioresources Engineering (JAMBE).

A special agricultural machinery fair was organized at BAU’s helipad, where eight renowned institutions (both government and private) showcased modern agricultural machinery and technologies.

Notably, technologies developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) were on display.

The event underscored the growing importance of technological advancements in agriculture and the potential for these innovations to transform the industry into a more sustainable and efficient sector in Bangladesh.