By Shamiran Biswas

Background

Bangladesh’s agriculture is at a crossroads today. On the one hand, climate change, irregular rainfall, temperature fluctuations, new diseases and insects, and increased production costs; on the other hand, lack of information for farmers, market dependence, and lack of scientific decisions in the use of agricultural inputs, all of which are gradually turning agriculture into a complex system. In this reality, the Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR has opened the door to a new possibility for agriculture. If Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Satellite Technology, Drones, and Digital Platforms can be brought within the reach of farmers, agriculture will not only be production-based; it will become information-based, risk-aware, accurate, and sustainable agriculture. A promising example of that change in the context of Bangladesh is Genius Farms Limited’s (GFL) AI-based agricultural technology “Dr.Chashi”.

Pesticide Dependence: The Silent Crisis of Agriculture

Pesticide use is important in controlling diseases and pests in Bangladeshi agriculture. But problems arise when pesticides are applied without understanding the exact identity of the disease or pest, the extent of the infestation, and the extent of the economic damage. Many farmers rely on local advice, the experience of neighboring farmers, or sometimes the advice of agricultural equipment sellers without getting sufficient information to identify the disease or pest. As a result, there is a risk of using multiple products for the same problem, applying more than necessary, or spraying at the wrong time. The World Health Organization says that pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and farmers and pesticide applicators are at higher risk due to direct contact. Unsafe use of pesticides can be associated with acute poisoning as well as long-term health risks. Therefore, the solution is not to completely eliminate pesticides; rather, to identify diseases before they are needed, take action as needed, and reduce reliance on chemical use. WHO has also emphasized non-chemical management and safe application in addition to using chemicals when necessary.

When AI is the Farmer's "Digital Assistant"

This is where 4IR's AI agricultural technology comes into play. The experience of working with nearly one lakh farmers since 2020 through the use of artificial intelligence-based technology "Dr.Chashi" in agriculture has created an important example. The goal is to provide farmers with a digital support system where farmers can collect basic information about field problems themselves and increase their decision-making capacity with the help of technology. Farmers can take pictures of the affected parts of the crop and send them to the AI-based system for analysis. In addition to getting information about the possible identity of the disease or insect, it is possible to get instructions on what to do. As a result, instead of the conventional mentality of "medicine first, disease later", the "identification first, management later" method can be established. This is a fundamental change for agriculture. Because if a farmer knows what problem his crop actually has, how serious the problem is, and what kind of management is required, it is possible to reduce the tendency to buy multiple pesticides unnecessarily. At the same time, proper disease and insect management can save the farmer money, time, and labor. However, a scientific warning is necessary here: AI's advice should not be followed blindly; if necessary, decisions should be made after checking with local agronomists, pathologists, and approved pesticide use guidelines. AI will be a decision-support tool, not a substitute for humans.

Advance Agricultural Decisions from Weather Forecast

AI-based agricultural technology "Dr.Chashi" is another location-based weather information in agriculture. Today's farmer does not just want to know "will it rain today or not". He wants to know what the probability of rain, temperature, humidity, or storm is in the next few days; when to irrigate; when it is safe to apply pesticides; when to harvest; when to sow seeds to reduce risk. If weather information is added to the digital agricultural platform, farmers can move from reactive agriculture to predictive agriculture. That is, not dealing with damage after the storm, but taking measures to protect crops in advance by getting a storm forecast. Preparing for water drainage before heavy rain. Irrigation management before heat waves. Avoiding unnecessary sprays if there is a possibility of rain. This is one of the foundations of climate-resilient agriculture.

No Fertilizer Without Soil Testing

Another big problem in agriculture is applying the same type of fertilizer year after year without knowing the actual condition of the soil. Farmers think that more fertilizer means more yield. But applying fertilizer without considering the needs of the plant, the nutritional status of the soil, and the needs of the crop can lead to economic waste as well as damage to the soil balance. In this place, IoT-based Soil Sensors are creating new possibilities in agriculture. Genius Farms Limited (GFL) is working on soil NPK testing and crop-based fertilizer recommendations at various stages using IoT Soil Sensors made entirely from Bangladeshi data for soil analysis. By collecting information about soil nutrition and other important characteristics and using that information in farmer's decision-making, it is possible to move from "predictive fertilizer application" to "data-based fertilizer management". As a result, unnecessary fertilizer costs of farmers can be reduced, production management can be more accurate, and can help preserve soil health in the long term.

When Agriculture is Not Just Production, It is a Digital Ecosystem

The most important aspect of "Dr.Chashi" is that it is not limited to disease detection technology. As an integrated digital agriculture platform, it is creating an opportunity to bring farmers' problem identification, agricultural advice, weather information, agricultural input collection, and training into the same digital environment. Farmers can find solutions to problems in their rooftop gardens as well as field crops. They can order the necessary agricultural inputs as per their needs and get the opportunity to collect them at home. Another important concept of 4IR is at work here: Digital Supply Chain. If information from farmers' needs to product selection, ordering, supply, and usage is added to the digital system, then agricultural input management can be more transparent and efficient. "Dr.Chashi" is doing that work.

Converting Farmers' Knowledge into Digital Power

The future of agriculture is not only in technology; it is in creating farmers capable of using technology. For this reason, online agricultural training is very important. Especially for young farmers, training on AI, IoT, modern agricultural management, safe pesticide use, soil management, and climate-smart agriculture can create a new type of digital agricultural manpower. As a result, farmers will no longer be just consumers of technology; they will become active partners in the digital agricultural system. This is very important for Bangladesh. Because the biggest asset in the agriculture of the future is not just land, but information, skills, and right decisions at the right time. AI, IoT, and Drones to protect agriculture—an integrated future.

The biggest strength of 4IR agriculture is to make different technologies work together. AI will detect diseases. IoT will provide soil information. Weather API will predict risks. Satellite and remote sensing will help monitor the condition of the land. Drones can quickly monitor the field and spray when needed. And the Digital Platform will connect the farmer with this information and services. That is, the agriculture of the future will be a Connected Agriculture System. If all this information about what the soil of a farmer's land is like, what problems the crop has, what the weather may be like, what management is needed, and where the necessary materials can be obtained comes under the same digital framework, then there will be a fundamental change in the farmer's decision-making ability.

“Dr.Chashi” is a bigger concept than an app. If we look at “Dr.Chashi” only as an AI app, its potential will be underestimated. It basically has the potential to become a Digital Decision Support Ecosystem for farmers. Through this, farmers can collect basic information about their problems themselves without being completely dependent on others. This increases farmer confidence, increases reliance on information, and can make decision-making more scientific. Most importantly, if technology reaches farmers in their language, according to their needs and on their mobile phones, then 4IR is no longer a city technology—it becomes a technology for village farmers.

In the long journey of innovation and application of AI and IoT technology in agriculture, various government institutions of the country, including BARC, BARI, DAE, BINA, BRRI, SRDI & PKSF, and domestic and foreign NGOs and INGOs have provided important support and guidance to Genius Farms Limited (GFL). Their valuable advice, technical cooperation, research assistance, and inter-institutional partnerships have made GFL's journey of agricultural technology innovation more dynamic and enriched. GFL expresses its sincere gratitude and deep respect to all its associates and partners in this long journey.

The Challenges Ahead

However, introducing technology alone will not change everything. To increase the accuracy of AI, large datasets based on local crops, diseases, insects, regions, and seasons are required. Regular field validation, participation of agronomists, an easy interface in local languages, digital literacy of farmers, and data security must be ensured. At the same time, it must be ensured that AI does not become a new means of unnecessary pesticide use. The core philosophy of the technology must be Integrated Pest Management (IPM), safe food, increased farmer income, and environmental protection. WHO-FAO has also emphasized reducing dependence on pesticides in agriculture and ensuring safe and proper management where necessary.

Conclusion

The biggest question facing Bangladeshi agriculture now is not just “how to produce more”. The question is how to produce with less risk, less waste, using less harmful ingredients, protecting soil health, and increasing farmers’ income. 4IR’s technology can play an important role in finding the answer to this question. AI-based “Dr. Farmer” is helping farmers identify diseases and pests and make agricultural decisions; weather information is giving farmers the opportunity to prepare in advance; IoT Soil Sensors are linking soil information with fertilizer management; online training is creating digital agricultural skills; and digital commerce is making it easier for farmers to procure the necessary inputs. If the goal of this integrated technology system is “information before need, identification before problem, scientific decision before use”, then it can undoubtedly start a new chapter in Bangladeshi agriculture.

Once, the farmer’s biggest strength was his experience. Now, AI analysis, IoT information, weather forecasting, and digital connectivity are being added to that experience. This combination can change the agriculture of the future.

Smartphones in the hands of farmers, IoT in the field, AI in decision-making, and farmers at the center of technology. This is the agriculture of the fourth industrial revolution. “Dr.Chashi” is truly a new horizon for farmers.

Author:

Shamiran Biswas, Agriculture and Environment Specialist, Dhaka.

Email: srb_ccdbseed@yahoo.com | Phone: 01741122755