Speakers at the Climate Change Conference: Urgent Need for Smart Technology in Agriculture in the Country

ছবিঃ সিএনআই

Rangpur Bureau: 

To combat the adverse effects of climate change, climate-smart agricultural technology is no longer just beneficial—it has become essential. In addition to government initiatives, active participation from non-governmental development organizations is also necessary.

Speakers made these remarks on Wednesday (30 July) during a divisional-level research dissemination meeting on combating and addressing the impacts of climate change, held at the RDRS auditorium in Rangpur. The event aimed to address the harmful effects of climate change and focus on protection and development of marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities.

The conference presented an integrated research report focusing on sustainable and adaptable climate-smart agricultural practices involving marginalized and disabled communities in northwestern and southwestern regions of Bangladesh.

The report emphasized the importance of adopting adaptable agricultural strategies and policies to combat the adverse effects of climate change, which can directly benefit the most vulnerable segments of society.

In the opening speech, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangpur, Md. Sirajul Islam, said, "Marginalized people and those with disabilities are the most affected by climate change. Therefore, science-based and practical agricultural technologies are needed to enhance their adaptive capacity."

Dr. Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, Executive Director of ESDO, said, “Through the ACCESS project, we are seeing that with proper training and technology, it is possible to protect farmers from the harmful effects of climate change.”

Ayatullah Al Mamun, Manager of the Water, Food, and Climate Domain at Helvetas, added, “Climate-smart agriculture is no longer optional—it is the essential path for the future.”

The report revealed an increase in floods, droughts, salinity, and extreme weather events in Bangladesh’s northwestern and southwestern regions due to climate change. Marginal farmers and people with disabilities are the most affected.

Data for the research was collected from 10 districts, and direct interviews were conducted with 350 farmers. Identified climate-smart technologies include water-saving cultivation methods, use of organic fertilizers, salt-tolerant varieties of rice and vegetables, and improved seed preservation techniques.

The discussion was attended by researchers and academics specializing in agriculture and the environment. Notable attendees included Dr. Md. Shoaibur Rahman from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University; Dr. Rakibul Hasan from the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Rangpur; columnist and river researcher Dr. Tuhin Wadud from Begum Rokeya University; Dr. Mohammad Ali, Assistant Professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka; Engineer Azrul Islam, Additional Director of Rangpur Agricultural Extension Department; and Dr. Md. Shoaibur Rahman from Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Speakers further emphasized the need to ensure farmers’ access to training and technology. They stressed the importance of special programs for disabled farmers, creating research-based solutions tailored to local contexts, and integrating climate adaptation into the core of national development policies.