Move to set up climate-smart research centre

Making a great stride towards strengthening Bangladesh's agricultural sector and export capabilities, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agri-Food Associations & Industries of Bangladesh on Saturday to establish a research centre for climate-smart agriculture.
The initiative jointly organised by BAU and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to boost exports and ensure safer food for local consumers.
The MoU signing took place after a workshop, held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in the city.
BAU signed the MoU with three different entities including Bangladesh Agro Processors' Association, Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation and Ispahani Agro Ltd.
The agreement will pave the way for the development of the Bangladesh Instrumentation Center for Climate Change and Agricultural Research (BICAR) at BAU under the Strengthening Agricultural Tertiary Education Project (SATEP).
This ambitious project, expected to be financed by ADB and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, aims to enhance the responsiveness of tertiary agricultural education to industry needs.
BICAR will also manage critical laboratory testing currently conducted abroad, allowing local traders to benefit from quicker, more cost-effective testing.
Ryotaro Hayashi, senior social sector Economist at ADB, delivered the welcome address, and Prof Dr Harunur Rashid of BAU presented the goals of SATEP.
Prof Dr A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, vice chancellor of BAU, chaired the progarmme.
Prof ASM Golam Hafeez, director of planning and development at BAU, focused on the importance of partnerships like this for sustainable agricultural growth and resilience.
He said these initiatives will facilitate the partnership, enabling a coordinated approach to overcome industry challenges through cutting-edge research, policy support, and technological advancement in Bangladesh's agricultural sector.
Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam Bhuiyan, BAU's Focal Point for SATEP, moderated a panel discussion involving key industry leaders, including Md Abul Hashem, president of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA), Syed Mahmudul Huq, chairperson of the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation, Ms. Fawzia Yasmin, director of Ispahani Agro Limited, and Naser Ahmed, executive director of PRAN-RFL Group.
Fawzia Yasmin discussed Ispahani's work along the entire agri value chain, from seeds to biopesticides and agro-processing.
She advocated for further investment in biopesticides, climate-smart agriculture, and value chain enhancements.
"We need policy-level support to expand sustainable farming practices and introduce farmers to climate-resilient crops and bio-friendly inputs," she said, noting the importance of training and capacity-building for farmers, distributors, and stakeholders.
Naser Ahmed of Pran-RFL Group focused on the extensive global footprint of Bangladeshi agricultural exports, which currently reaches 145 countries.
Despite this success, he noted persistent challenges like pesticide compliance, research barriers, and a lack of high-quality testing facilities in Bangladesh.
"Our samples have to be sent to India for testing, which is both costly and time-consuming," he said, emphasising the need for domestic labs to support faster and more affordable testing. He also called for easier access to high-yielding crop varieties to boost competitiveness, particularly in cassava and potato production, noting that the Netherlands offers advice on suitable varieties for Bangladesh's climate, but importing these remains a challenge.
Said Mahmudul Hoque underscored the value of university-industry collaborations in closing skill gaps and improving workforce readiness in agriculture.
"Our curriculum must adapt to emerging technologies and good practices. We import aqua medicines and need support to address these gaps domestically," he said.
Additionally, he pointed to the opportunities within Bangladesh's coastal areas for brackish-water shrimp farming, noting successful high-yield practices in places like Singapore as models.
Abul Hashem discussed BAPA's contribution to the sector, including exports valued at $1.0 billion in 2021, with a target of doubling this figure within the next few years.
He underlined the importance of meeting international standards in testing and certification, explaining that the lack of robust domestic facilities often requires companies to rely on testing services from India, leading to higher costs and delays.
"This MoU will create a research partnership that enhances both academic and industry standards," he noted, emphasising BAPA's support for BAU's role in advancing agriculture through scientific testing and research.
He also advocated for establishing a liaison office in Dhaka in this regard.
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