Once upon a time, the Varendra region of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, was called the ‘Desert of Bangladesh’. The abnormally low water table and lack of rain were about to depopulate the region.
But this spring of 2026, the scenario has changed. A groundbreaking agricultural transformation is unfolding in this arid region, driven by the government’s ambitious ‘Green Barinda 2026’ initiative. It is based on ‘precision agriculture’ or a combination of ancient indigenous climate-tolerant crops.
Soil Sensor and Drip Irrigation: Farmers in the Varendra region no longer irrigate the land in a haphazard manner. In this new system of 2026, ‘Soil moisture sensor’ has been installed in each cropland.
Water reaches the tree roots automatically through a solar-powered pump only when soil moisture falls below a certain level.
Our research has shown that this ‘Drip irrigation’ method has reduced groundwater wastage in the Varendra region by 70 percent. By 2026, the Varendra region is fully covered in mango, malta, and dragon fruit orchards after successfully implementing this technology in 2025.
Afforestation and temperature to prevent desertification: Afforestation is being used to lower temperatures in Varendra, helping to combat desertification alongside agriculture.
In 2026, scattering crores of seeds in remote areas using drones has reduced the Varendra region’s average temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past five years. This is playing a key role in maintaining the ecological balance of North Bengal.
Economic impact: Technology-based cultivation has reduced farmers’ production costs by half while doubling their yields. The Varendra region is now recognized as one of the ‘fruit hubs’ or fruit reserves of Bangladesh. This change in Varendra is working as a model for drought-prone countries of the world.
