The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invest in research and development of the country's agriculture and food technology sectors, creation of skilled human resources, climate management, and smart agriculture.
For this purpose, 'Strengthening Higher Education in Agriculture Project' has been taken up at a cost of about Tk 23 billion, which is expected to start from next year.
The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) will jointly implement the five-year project, said the UGC in a statement.
ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong assured UGC Chairman Prof S M A Faiz of providing support in implementing the project during a meeting in the city on Thursday.
The ADB country director noted that the project would strengthen the country's food and agriculture industries and also create skilled human resources in these sectors.
He expected help of the UGC and other related parties for successful implementation of the project that would also help in achieving the country's economic growth.
The UGC chairman said the project would play an important role in developing human resources and fostering economic growth in the agricultural sector. It would also help Bangladesh in areas like food security, climate management, food processing, smart agriculture, and advanced research.
He assured the ADB delegation of full cooperation in its implementation.
Under the project, the BAU's academic and research infrastructure will be strengthened. An advanced research centre named 'Bangladesh Instrumentation Centre for Climate Change and Agricultural Research' will be built with its funding. The agriculture-related universities will be able to conduct research there.
Apart from establishing modern labs, the project will also create linkages among teachers, students, farmers and agro industries.
Under the project, necessary training will be provided to develop professional skills along with designing modern curriculum in agriculture, food processing, and climate change education, according to the UGC.
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