Ashfaq Saphal
When drought descends, when saltwater seeps into riverbeds, or when cyclones shatter homes and dreams—agriculture and nature once again become topics of talk show discussions. Certain words keep resurfacing; one of them is ‘climate-smart agriculture’.
But the question is—does it truly bring back the scent of soil to the farmer’s fingers, or is it merely born on the glossy pages of international conferences?
This idea was first introduced by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2010. Its goals were threefold: to increase agricultural productivity, to enhance resilience to climate shocks, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Simply put, it’s an agricultural approach where science, technology, and local knowledge work together—so that crops become not just food, but tools for survival.
In Bangladesh too, this term is frequently echoed, but the implementation of government policy often floats on the surface—lost in the shine of exhibitions. Take, for example, the Ministry of Agriculture’s recent ‘Smart Agriculture Card and Digital Agriculture’ project, with a proposed budget of around BDT 1.08 billion. The goal was to create digital profiles for farmers and distribute smart cards. However, media reports revealed that a large portion of the budget was spent on administrative activities, while the real benefits for farmers at the field level remained almost invisible.
Meanwhile, the world tells us a different story. In the dry, desert-like soils of the Sahel region, farmers are creating small pits to store water and compost—bringing green life to the dust. In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, integrated rice-fish farming has significantly increased farmer income. In Latin America, drones are descending from the sky to assist with sowing, irrigation, and even pest control. These experiences don’t just inform us—they raise a question: Can’t we too sow seeds of potential in our own saline coastal lands?
There is, indeed, potential in Bangladesh. Solar-powered irrigation in the Barind Tract, or floating agriculture in Gaibandha and Kurigram, are already forms of ‘climate-smart’ adaptation. Institutions like the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have developed salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant rice varieties. A recent study (Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture, Sheikh & Pervez, 2025) warns that unpredictable future temperatures and rainfall could drastically impact crop yields. Thus, adopting resilient crop varieties and switching to more suitable crops is essential for food security.
Yet, government planning remains at a preliminary stage. Often, the subsidy structure pushes farmers toward the wrong choices instead of encouraging the right ones.
Take the ‘Climate-Smart Village’ project, for instance. In 2018, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) announced plans to develop model villages in Gazipur and Cox’s Bazar. The initiative was full of promise—new rice varieties, climate-resilient farming methods, and ICT-based advisory services. But on the ground, farmers reported no tangible benefits; training was disorganized, technology transfer incomplete, and many didn’t even know that their village had been labeled a 'smart village'.
And this leads to the harsh question—is ‘climate-smart’ just a neat phrase meant for use on international stages?
So, can our agriculture truly become climate-conscious, or will the gap between policy papers and soil reality only continue to grow? Do we want to confine the future of farming within a grey circle of failure—or learn from global experience and bring back a vibrant green of possibilities?
In the end, the answer must come from the hands of the farmers themselves- where the true scent of the soil still remains.
[Ashfaq Saphal is a former IBM employee and currently holds the position of Joint Secretary at the Bangladesh System Administration Forum (BDSAF).]
