Agriculture officials in Rangamati called for the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to make hill farming more productive, profitable, environment-friendly and sustainable. Combining artificial intelligence, drones, the Internet of Things and digital technology can overcome the limits farming faces in the hills and open new possibilities, they said, provided timely farm information, modern technology and accessible services reach the farmers.
They were speaking on Monday (26 October) at a seminar titled 'Hill Agriculture in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution' at the Cosmos Convention Hall in Banarupa, Rangamati, organised by the Rangamati regional office of the Agriculture Information Service (AIS). AIS director Md Masihur Rahman presided, and the chief guest was M M Shah Newaz, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for the Rangamati region.
The keynote was presented by Md Mahbubur Rashid, deputy director of the Rangamati Horticulture Centre. DAE Rangamati deputy director Md Moniruzzaman and district seed certification officer Prosenjit Mistry also spoke.
Masihur Rahman said the combined use of AI, drones, IoT and digital tools could remove the constraints of hill farming, but farmers must be given timely, science-based information. Shah Newaz said the varied terrain and climate of the hill districts offer large scope to grow more fruit, spices and cash crops, while the hills' environment and natural resources must be protected as technology is adopted.
The seminar stressed raising output through modern technology, launching a 'one-stop farm service' for farmers, environment-friendly land management and a coordinated response to flash floods.
Speakers said farm planning must take account of the hills' geography and natural environment. Expanding technology-based extension services, building farmers' skills and better coordination among government offices would make hill farming more modern, smart and resilient to disasters, they said. Officials from several agriculture departments, agriculturists and journalists attended.
Information: Agriculture Information Service, Rangamati region (desk report by Agricare24).
Photo: Jhum cultivation on a hillside (illustrative), Ricky Unburied / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Source: Agricare24
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