Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said the government will use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor market conditions and help stabilise prices, with 30 sensitive commodities set to come under AI-based surveillance in the first phase.
He made the announcement at a government grants, awards and equipment distribution programme held at the Sylhet Sadar Upazila Auditorium on Friday.
The minister said the AI model would go beyond tracking current market prices. It would analyse production trends, assess the impact of weather on crop yields, and monitor developments in international markets to generate forecasts for better market management.
He said the integrated AI system would be developed jointly by several ministries to strengthen market monitoring and improve policy decisions.
Highlighting Sylhet's export potential, Muktadir said nearly half of the country's vegetable exporters are based in the region. However, inadequate packaging and certification facilities have prevented the sector from reaching its full export potential.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a special project to train farmers in scientific cultivation methods and ensure product traceability, he added.
The commerce minister also said the government has decided to build around 2,000 cold storage facilities across the country to improve vegetable preservation, with a significant number to be established in Sylhet.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
