Transforming agriculture – the plant clinic revolution in Bangladesh

By Mohammad Shaef Ullah, Md. Saleh Ahmed and Mariam Kadzamira

In 2013, the first-ever plant clinic in Bangladesh was established in Shirampur Union, Dhamrai, Dhaka, marking a significant step forward for agricultural advisory services. Initially, the clinic faced limited interest due to its novelty and farmers’ lack of awareness. However, over time, it transformed into a lifeline for local farmers, revolutionising the way plant health issues were addressed. Today, the clinic is an essential resource for diagnosing plant diseases, pest management and crop improvement strategies.

The plant clinic concept
A plant clinic is a farmer-focused advisory service designed to diagnose and provide solutions to plant health problems. Farmers bring samples of diseased plants or describe issues they are facing in their fields to trained “plant doctors”– agricultural professionals who provide expert advice to farmers on diagnosing and managing plant health problems, recommending appropriate management strategies, including biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical solutions.

The clinics are typically organised in local marketplaces, agricultural fairs or other accessible locations for farmers. They are supported by government organisations such as agricultural extension departments or local offices, NGOs and international agencies like CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme, academic institutions providing technical expertise and training, and private sector entities, including agricultural companies and cooperatives, which often sponsor or participate in these initiatives. Plant doctors are typically employed by government organisations (e.g. Department of Agricultural Extension), but many frontline staff for NGOs, or other stakeholders plant health services, may also receive plant doctor training.

The clinic holds bi-monthly sessions, often hosted at lead farmers’ homes, designated venues, or even in the fields as mobile clinics. These setups ensure direct engagement with real-time agricultural issues. Farmers attending the sessions represent a diverse group, including men, women and, occasionally, youth. Attendance averages between 10 and 15 participants, with women making up as much as 25 per cent in some sessions, while youth participation remains limited.

Beyond face-to-face consultations, the clinic also leverages digital communication. Farmers can call the plant doctor for urgent advice or receive tailored recommendations and prescriptions via SMS.

How farmers benefit

This digital shift has revolutionised access to timely and accurate solutions, helping farmers tackle challenges efficiently. Here are the most important achievements:

Accurate, tailored advice delivered digitally. The introduction of SMS-based recommendations has been the clinic's most transformative change. Farmers now receive precise diagnoses and prescriptions directly on their phones. This ensures that they buy the correct pesticides and other inputs, avoiding common pitfalls like counterfeit products or misinformation from local vendors.

This digital innovation has built trust among farmers. They now rely on expert advice from the clinic, knowing it is rooted in scientific accuracy. This change has significantly reduced crop losses and enhanced productivity.

Faster problem resolution. Before the clinic’s establishment, farmers depended on block supervisors or delayed visits to agriculture offices. Solutions would often come too late, exacerbating losses. The clinic’s presence has drastically reduced response times. Farmers attest that plant issues are now resolved quickly, often before they spread.

Empowerment of farmers. The clinic has empowered farmers with knowledge and confidence. By attending sessions or consulting with plant doctors, farmers have become proactive in addressing plant health issues. The plant doctors help them identify pests, diseases and other issues affecting crops and recommend sustainable solutions, often emphasising Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, including bioprotectants. The farmers now ask informed questions, seek preventive advice, and adopt scientifically-backed solutions. Women in particular have shown increased participation, breaking traditional barriers in agricultural decision-making.

Improved crop yields and livelihoods. The adoption of correct pesticides and better pest control practices has led to noticeable improvements in crop yields. Farmers report higher productivity and better-quality produce, directly boosting their incomes. This success has made the plant clinic a symbol of hope for sustainable agriculture in the region.

Reduction in reliance on false information. Before the clinic’s intervention, farmers would often rely on hearsay or unverified advice from local vendors. The clinic’s scientific approach has replaced this with reliable, evidence-based solutions, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Community trust and engagement. Farmers now view the plant clinic as a trustworthy partner. The expertise of plant doctors has strengthened community ties, making the clinic a vital resource for not just plant health but broader agricultural knowledge-sharing.

Since the clinic was opened in Shirampur, a total of 405 plant clinics have been established in Bangladesh with 383 currently active. These clinics have served 17,285 farmer queries to date. The service is typically free of charge for farmers, as it is supported by government organisations, NGOs and international programmes, ensuring equitable access for all.

A paradigm shift

The plant clinic represents a paradigm shift in agricultural extension services in Bangladesh. What began as a small initiative has grown into a robust system of support for farmers, addressing their most pressing challenges with speed and accuracy.

The use of SMS and phone consultations has brought expert advice within arm’s reach for farmers, ensuring timely interventions. By improving access to scientific solutions, the clinic has reduced the risk of pest outbreaks and diseases spreading across fields.

The presence of skilled plant doctors has instilled confidence in farmers. They no longer rely on vague suggestions but instead trust the clinic for actionable advice. This shift has fostered a culture of precision agriculture, where informed decisions lead to better outcomes.

A plant doctor helping the farmers to identify the problem and suggesting appropriate prescription. 
Photo: Mohammad Shaef Ullah

The way forward

The positive experiences gained suggest that it makes sense to replicate this model across Bangladesh, thus addressing plant health issues on a larger scale, ensuring that farmers everywhere benefit from similar services. There is often an intention to scale successful initiatives to new regions, but this depends on funding, capacity building and stakeholder engagement.

Furthermore, the number of plant doctors ought to be increased. Investing in advanced training for plant doctors will ensure that clinics are equipped to handle diverse challenges. The training of plant doctors is typically the responsibility of government agricultural departments (e.g. the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh) in collaboration with NGOs and international organisations. Academic institutions and agricultural research centres also play a significant role by providing technical expertise and hosting training workshops. If additional training programmes are proposed, funding and support could come from partnerships between these entities, with contributions from development agencies and sometimes the private sector for specialised topics.

To refine services, more digital tools ought to be used. Apps and social media platforms should be introduced to complement SMS, enabling wider farmer engagement, particularly among youth. Furthermore, the clinics’ performance and farmer satisfaction should be regularly reviewed. And last, but not least, in order to ensure sustainability, campaigns and incentives should be launched to involve younger generations in plant clinic activities.

The story of Shirampur Union’s plant clinic is a testament to the power of innovation in agriculture. By empowering farmers with knowledge, technology and trust, it has become a beacon of hope for sustainable farming practices. As Bangladesh seeks to modernise its agricultural landscape, this model stands as a blueprint for success.

Mohammad Shaef Ullah is a professor in the Department of Entomology at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. He holds a PhD in Entomology from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Japan, and specialises in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), invasive insects, biological control, insect ecology and pesticide management.
Contact: ullahipm(at)bau.edu.bd

Md. Saleh Ahmed is the Country Representative at the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) Bangladesh in Dhaka. He holds a PhD in Horticulture. Prior to joining CABI, he worked as Senior Scientist of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and as a consultant to various institutions, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the UK-based Natural Resources Institute (NRI).
Contact: Saleh.Ahmed(at)cabi.org

Mariam Kadzamira is a Senior Agribusiness Researcher at the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) and based in the UK. She holds a PhD in Agriculture Economics from the University of Pretoria/RSA.
Contact: m.kadzamira(at)cabi.org