Bangladesh. Role of ICT in ARD: Status Report of

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1 Role of ICT in ARD: Status Report of Bangladesh Prepared By:-, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Dr. Md. Nurul Alam, Executive Chairman, Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh & Mostaque Ahmed, Principal Librarian,, Principal Librarian, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh 1

2 1. Introduction Bangladesh: Geographical & Economic Conditions Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh economy. Mainly flood plain- occupies almost 80% of the land area. Hill area is about 12% Terrace area 8% Contribution of agriculture to GDP is 30% 2

3 2. ICT Sector of Bangladesh The following steps have been taken by the govt. of Bangladesh for the development of ICT sector: Government have declared ICT as a thrust area Government has put much emphasis on establishing e-governmence Government has formed a task force to gear up the implementation policy Government has undertaken programs to establish Information Technology (IT) institute to produce skilled IT personnel 3

4 3. Policies for ICT sector in Bangladesh To implement ICT policy in Bangladesh, the following points to be taken care of: 3.1 Linked information super highway It includes: Submarine cable network by next two years Bangladesh as country domain for all public sectors 4

5 3.2 Agriculture and poverty alleviation To reduce poverty: Initiatives should be taken to utilize ICT system in agro-based industry Information on agricultural technology should be disseminated Step should be taken for agribusiness development Database on agricultural information should be developed and maintained 5

6 4. Agricultural Research and ICT initiatives 4.1 National Agricultural Research System (NARS) BARC is the apex body of ten Agricultural Research Innovatives (ARIs)( They are: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI ) Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI ) Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) 6

7 Web sites of BARC and most of the NARS institute have been developed. The URLs of the web sites are : BARC - BRRI - BJRI - BARC BRRI BJRI BFRI [fi] - BLRI BFRI [fo] - BTRI - press.com/btri.html BLRI - 7

8 4.3 Application of ICT : GIS for Agricultural development Through this project a computerized land information system for Bangladesh has been established. It includes: Land resource inventory Crop viewer Climatic map Drought mapping Cropping pattern suitability model 8

9 4.4 Technology Database 55 new technologies have been developed by NARS scientists Database of the new technologies includes: Name and address of the scientist Test location Where being implemented Yields Expected return, etc. 9

10 5. ICT in Agricultural Research Organization Agricultural information centre (AIC) of BARC provides: o o o o Library service to all agricultural scientists Internet search opportunities CD-ROM search facilities National Agricultural Information System (NAIS) database search service This library is a depository of FAO,ISNAR,IRRI & ICRISAT. 10

11 5.1 SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) SAIC is furnished with four divisions: a. Information- produces videos slides,etc. b. Computer - provides internet search, provides internet search, produces VCD,CD; upload & download publications from internet Publication- publishes SAIC newsletters, annual report, journal & other publications of SAIC c. Publication d. Library provides users service,photocopy,reference service,etc. provides users service,photocopy,reference & referral 11

12 6. Recommendations The following recommendations are suggested to implement ICT policy to reap maximum benefits. ICT should be utilized in agro-based industries Govt. should narrow down the digital divide in urban- rural and national- international contexts using ICT The researchers and extension workers should have internet facilities ities ICT should be utilized in preparing databases on various field of o agricultural science for disseminating up-to to-date information To implement ICT policy availability of electricity,telephone and internet connectivity must be ensured 12