The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) hosted a pivotal workshop on Sunday, September 14, 2025 focused on developing climate-resilient sustainable Agri-food systems in the salt-affected coastal zones of the Ganges Delta. The event, held at the BARC Auditorium, brought together national and international experts to discuss research findings and future strategies to combat the challenges of salinity and climate change.
The workshop, titled "Climate Resilient Sustainable Agrifood Systems in the Salt-Affected Coastal Zones of the Ganges Delta: Evidence and Future Roadmaps," was a collaborative effort funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF).
Key Innovations and Research Findings: The workshop presented significant progress from a five-year research program (2021-2026) conducted by a consortium of Australian, Bangladeshi, and Indian institutions. The program aims to improve farmers' lives by increasing land productivity and crop intensity through effective water and soil salinity management.
High-resolution land use and salinity maps, and risk-based zoning tools to help farmers make informed decisions.
The APSIM Rabi Crop Decision Support Tool, an advanced system that predicts crop yields under changing climate conditions. Successful adoption of short-duration rice and zero-till potato and sunflower systems, which have helped farmers, reclaim fallow lands, increase crop intensity, and boost their incomes. The development of the Bangladesh Data Cube in collaboration with CSIRO, Australia, to enhance crop and resource monitoring.
The event was presided over by BARC's Executive Chairman, Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim. Mr. Md. Abu Zubair Hossain Bablu, Additional Secretary (Research) of the Ministry of Agriculture, attended as the chief guest.
Special guests included Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman, Director General of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI); Dr. Nathu Ram Sarkar, Executive Director of KGF; Mr. Clinton Pobke, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian High Commission, Dhaka; and Dr. Pratibha Singh, Regional Manager of ACIAR South Asia.
In his speech, Mr. Clinton Pobke emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector in Bangladesh and the challenges it faces. He highlighted Australia’s commitment to working with partners in the region, leveraging its deep agricultural expertise to provide practical, evidence-based solutions. He noted that ACIAR supports 11 projects in Bangladesh this financial year, totaling over $3.7 million, with a focus on sustainable, efficient farming practices.
Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, Member Director of the Natural Resource Management Division of BARC, delivered his welcome speech, officially opening the workshop. Dr. Mohammed Mainuddin, Principal Research Scientist and Project Leader of CSIRO, Australia, delivered the keynote paper, sharing crucial insights from the research.
The workshop also featured presentations on future planning from several experts: Prof. M. A. Hamid on crops, water, and livestock. Prof. Kizar Ahmed Sumon on fisheries. Dr. Abdullah Al-Amin on water, human health, and livelihoods.
An open discussion session followed, allowing representatives from various national and international organizations to share their insights and experiences. The attendees included researchers, DAE and BADC officials, and representatives from NGOs, universities, and other stakeholders working in coastal agricultural development. The event concluded with a shared roadmap for scaling these innovations to reach grassroots communities, ensuring that the research benefits those who need it most.
