1. Utilization of ICTs for the development of agriculture in Bangladesh
Farmers access to e-Krishi development in Bangladesh
Dr. Md. Ahashan Habib

2. Country Profile of Bangladesh
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Capital: Dhaka
Rate of education: 60.3 % (2010)
Most of the people are Muslim and speak in Bengali.
Bangladesh plays vital role in the international and regional forum, particularly in UN, Commonwealth and SAARC

3. Population : 158 million (BBS) Population density : ~ 950/sq. km
Cont’d
Area : 144,570 sq km
Population : 158 million (BBS)
Population density : ~ 950/sq. km
Arable land : 14 million ha (60.7%)
Flood Prone : 1.5 million ha
Drought Prone : 5.05 million ha
Salinity areas : 3.0 million ha
Decrease of Arable land : 1.6 % per year
Natural Disasters : Flood, drought, cyclones

4. Cont’d
The climate of Bangladesh is characterized by high temperature, high humidity, heavy rainfall and marked seasonal variations.
There are three major seasons in Bangladesh: summer, monsoon and winter.
The maximum temperature recorded in summer months (March-June) is approximately 37°C.
Monsoon (July-October), accounts for 80% of the total annual rainfall in the country. The average annual rainfall varies from 1429 to 4338 mm.
In winter (November-February), there is minimum fluctuation in temperature, which ranges from 7-12°C (BBS, 2010).

5. There are four broad physiographic regions in Bangladesh. Such as-
Cont’d
There are four broad physiographic regions
in Bangladesh. Such as-
1. Floodplains occupy about 75% of the total land area
2. Terraces about 8% (Barind tract & Madhupur sal forest).
3. Hill areas about 12%.
4. Saline area ~5-8%.

6. 1.Floodplain areas
Floodplain areas contain mainly alluvial soil (recent soil).
Floodplains occupy about 75%.
Soil of this areas are very fertile and used for cultivation.

7. 2.Terrace: i. Barind Tract
The Barind tract is located in Rajshahi division.
It is the soil of Pleistocene Geologic age (old soil).
Mainly Calcarious soil (pH high).
In this zone, field crops such as sugarcane, mustard, wheat, rice (aus paddy) are grown.
Source: Nishat, et.al. 2002

8. 2.Terrace ii.Madhupur Sal Forests
The Madhupur Sal tract central Dhaka division.
The total area of Sal Forest is 1,20,000 hectares.
Sal forest is classified as Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest.
Source: Nishat, et.al. 2002

9. 3.Hill Areas
Hill areas spread over the hilly areas of Sylhet and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Hill areas occupy about 12%.
It is mainly Evergreen Forest.
It contains the soil of Tertiary geologic age.

10. Royal Bengal Tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris)
4.Saline Area (The Sundarban Mangrove forest)
The Sundarbans mangrove forest is situated in the southwest of Bangladesh.
Sundarban is the unique largest tract of mangrove forests.
Total area of Sundarban is 6,01,700 hectares.
Sundarban has a large floral and faunal diversity.
World famous Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) are found here.
Royal Bengal Tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris)

11. Agricultural production in BD
According to FAO, Bangladesh is one of world's largest producers of-
Jute (2nd)
Rice (4th),
Fisheries(5th),
Tropical Fruit (5th),
Mango(9th),
Potato(11th),
Tea (11th)
Pineapple(16th),
Onion (16th) and
Banana (17th).

12. Production (metric ton) 25086 1673 366 821 6742 57 385
Cont’d
Rice
Wheat
Pulses
Jute
Sugarcane
Tea
Oilseeds
2001
Area (Million Acre)
26.681
1.909
1.170
1.107
0.417
0.120
1.038
Production (metric ton)
25086
1673
366
821
6742 57
385
2010
26.01
1.184
0.833
0.993
0.377
0.130
0.845
26530
735
279
4619
5511 58
577

13. Introduction of ICTs
The most common Information and communication technologies or ICTs are Radio, TV, cell phone, PDA, PC etc.

14. Cont’d
New and emerging technologies of ICTs are i. cell broadcast, ii. internet and iii. satellite
i. cell broadcast
ii. Internet system
iii. satellite

15. Cont’d
The modern ICTs are used in GPS and GIS
GPS

16. ICTs in Agriculture……
ICTs play vital and catalytic role in agriculture.
They help farmers by giving them vital information, about-
i. weather forecast,
ii. crop advice,
iii. market price etc.
These establish link with policy makers.
Promote growth of agribusinesses and rural enterprises by connecting the country with the international market.

17. In Agriculture some problems are common-
Cont’d
In Agriculture some problems are common-
i. Research Information are Scattered
ii. Single Source of Information is Absent
iii. Past Information is Essential for new Project.
iv. Information duplication,
v. Information Gap
ICTs are used to overcome such problems.

18. ICTs are also used in agriculture to
Cont’d
ICTs are also used in agriculture to
improve Research Management Process
Facilitate Informed Decision Making
Serve as a Central Depository of Agricultural Research Information

19. Iii GIS-based soil mapping, iv. GPS-based weather prediction,
Cont’d
ICTs can enhance the contribution to agriculture and rural development tremendously by establishing-
i. information centre,
ii. farmers call centre,
Iii GIS-based soil mapping,
iv. GPS-based weather prediction,
v. improved radio-TV programs,
vi. agricultural data base and
vii. encyclopedia.

20. Cont’d
i. information centre: It is a center designed specifically for storing, processing, and retrieving information for dissemination at regular intervals, on demand or selectively, according to express needs of users.

21. Cont’d
ii. Farmers call center
A call centre or call center is a centralised office used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone

22. Cont’d
iii. Soil mapping, is the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information.

23. Cont’d
iv. GPS-based weather production: Weather is very important for agriculture.Good weather is always beneficial for crop cultivation

24. Cont’d
v. Radio tv programme: These can help farmer for doing their good activities in the field level

25. Cont’d
vi. Agricultural data base: The following diagram is a graphical representation of the MARIA (Management of Agricultural Resources by Integrated Assessment) database interactivity.
A database is an organized collection of data

26. Cont’d
vii. Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work or compendium holding a comprehensive summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge.

27. Objectives of ICTs in agriculture
Gather and input agricultural research projects/programs/published documents and related information
Develop ICT In Agriculture as a sustainable repository of updated agricultural research information for the users
Ensure availability of information to all through ICT based communication channel

28. Benefits of ICT in Argiculture
Systematic, easy and timely archive and retrieval of research information
Fact based research investment
Economy in resource use
Building strength through sharing information

29. Cont’d

30. ICT Based Agriculture Activities in Bangladesh Phase-I:
In Bangladesh Capacity Enhancement of NARS through ICT-based Agricultural Research Management Information System (ARMIS) does some works for the development of agriculture. They use icts and manage several activities. Such as-
Recruit approved provision
Purchase of Computer and other office equipment
Develop agricultural database application
Conduction of inception workshop and trainings
Development of linkages with National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and Academia

31. Last 10 years was the period of data collection
(Con’td)
16 organizations (13 NARS institutes and 3 Agricultural universities) were included
Selected focal points in each of the NARS institutes and contact persons in the universities were involved
Last 10 years was the period of data collection
6033 completed entries were entered into the system
On completion of Phase-I in 2014, ICT based database was developed and submitted

32. Entries by Institute (Con’td) Sl. no Organization Completed entries 1.
BARC 3 2.
BARI
2500 3.
CDB 47 4.
FRI
140 5.
BFRI 5 6.
BINA
124 7.
BJRI
1200 8.
BLRI
120 9.
BRRI
1100
10.
BSRTI
142
11.
BSRI
12.
BTRI 60
13.
SRDI 90
14.
BSMRAU 52
15.
BAU
300
16.
SAU 30
17.
Total
6033

33. Entries by Commodity (Con’td) Sl. No Commodity Total 1. Cereals 10772.
Pulses
287 3.
Oil seeds
157 4.
Vegetables
368 5.
Spices
197 6.
Fruits
216 7.
Tuber crops
412 8.
Flowers 24 9.
Poultry 94
10.
Livestock
121
11.
Fisheries
267
12.
Forestry
142
13.
Fiber crops
921
14.
Sugar crops 97
15.
Miscellaneous
1653
16.
6033

34. The Problems are: Not all could be sensitized to the extent required
Task was huge
Lack of required facilities e.g computer, internet connection etc. in some of the agencies hindered progress
Frequent changes in Head of agencies/ Focal points
Documentation of Research in the institutes/universities were not as per required
Movement of the project personnel were limited due to unavoidable circumstances
Contribution to science and joy to be a part of the activity; were not equally appreciated by all

35. Next Target of ARMIS are-
Systematize documentation : for entry and retrieval
Ensure quality and reliability
Make the database a comprehensive and updated one
Turn it user friendly and interactive
Reach 20,000 entries by 2015

36. Phase-II
Implementation Mechanism
Expansion of scope: from 16 agencies to 79 agencies (may be more) View
Coverage: from 1971 to date
Priority: Published and Completed work (e.g Books/Journal/Reports etc.)
Ongoing work not excluded

37. Jobs done by now
Program area: Detailed out and sub-divided into 14 categories (View)
Commodity group: Detailed out and sub-divided into 23 categories and 275 nos.(view)
Non- commodity group: Detailed out and sub- divided into 5 categories and 18 nos.(view)
Users guideline: Developed and Uploaded
Entries : Over 7,800 at present

38. Entry by Commodity

39. OUR PLAN Reach out to all Arrange training for the users
Increase frequency of interaction
Demonstrate research achievements

40. No matter; big or small
It’s Obvious. Some will contribute more, some less
But, all are important to us
Just, like these two: World’s TALLEST and SMALLEST persons
Both are in the Guinness Book of Records

41. Thank You

42. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes
NARS Institutes
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute
Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture

43. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
NARS Institutes
Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute
Bangladesh Cotton development Board
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute

44. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
NARS Institutes
Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute
Bangladesh Tea Research Institute
Soil Resource Development Institute

45. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Universities
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)
Sher-E- Bangla Agricultural University (SAU
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU)
Sylhet Agricultural University
University of Dhaka (DU)

46. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Universities
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
University of Rajshahi (RU)
Jahangirnagar University
University of Chittagong (CU)
Khulna University (KU)

47. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Universities
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU)
Potuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU)
Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU)
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University
Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST)

48. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Universities
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST)
North South University (NSU)
Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT)

49. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Government Organizations
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)
Bangladesh Council of Science and Industrial research
Bangladesh Academy of Rural development (BARD)
Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogra
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation
Department of Fisheries

50. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Government Organizations
Department of Livestock Services
Bangladesh Water Development Board
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Bangladesh space research and remote sensing organization (SPARRSO)
Bangladesh Meteorological Department
Hortex Foundation

51. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
National and International Organizations/NGOs
BRAC
Proshika
RDRS, Bangladesh
FAO, Bangladesh
Winrock International

52. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
National and International Organizations/NGOs
IRRI Bangladesh
CIMMYT Bangladesh
DANIDA
IUCN, Bangladesh
Institute of Water Modeling

53. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
National and International Organizations/NGOs
CEGIS
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)
WorldFish – Bangladesh
Arannayk Foundation
Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad

54. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
National and International Organizations/NGOs
Bangladesh Academy of Sciences
CARE Bangladesh
CARITAS
Lalteer
ACI Limited

55. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
National and International Organizations/NGOs
Supreme Seed
IMED (PCR - Agriculture)
National Agricultural Training Academy
Seed Certification Authority
HEQEP

56. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
Journals
SAC Journal
BARC Journal
BARI Journal
BRRI Journal
Agronomy Journal
SSSB Journal
BAAS Journal
Journal of Genetics and Plant breeding

57. Phase-II : Targeted Institutes (con’td)
78. Individual Publications Collected by all Agriculture Expert
79. SPGR/CGP and others
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58. Program Areas Variety and Species Development
Crop-Soil-Water Management
Pest Management
Farming System
Farm Mechanization

59. Program Areas Knowledge Management Seed Technology
Socio-economic and Policy
Postharvest and Agro-processing
Food Safety and Security

60. Program Areas Animal Health and Nutrition
Resources Development and Management
Risk Management in Agriculture
Development of host and medicinal plants
<< BACK

61. Commodity Group
Cereals (Rice, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Millet, Barley etc.)
Pulses
Oilseeds
Vegetables
Fruits

62. Commodity Group Tuber and root crops Spices and condiments Flowers
Sugar crops
Tea, beverage and narcotics

63. Commodity Group Fibre, allied fibre crops and products
Timber, Non-timber and medicinal plants
Livestock and poultry
Fish and aquatic animal
Feed and fodder

64. Commodity Group Host plant Food and nutrition Land and soil
Irrigation water
Fertilizer and manures

65. << Back Commodity Group Weed
Farm machinery & agricultural mechanization
Value added products
<< Back

66. Non-commodity Group Policy studies Evaluation and impact assessment
Climate smart technology
ICT and MIS
Agricultural statistics
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