Developing Policy Roadmap for Strengthening Digital Advisory in Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh

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Developing Policy Roadmap for Strengthening Digital Advisory in Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh

A workshop titled “Developing Policy Roadmap for Strengthening Digital Advisory in Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh” was held on December 29, 2024, at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Dhaka. Organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), under its Planning, Project Implementation, and ICT Wing, and supported by CABI International, the event brought together government officials, researchers, academics, representatives from the private sector, NGOs, and international partners.

Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC, graced the event as the Chief Guest. In her address, she highlighted the growing significance of technology in agriculture, stating, “The use of information technology can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural extension. Strengthening digital advisory services will not only boost farmers’ productivity but also improve their livelihoods.” She emphasized the need for a long-term, well-structured policy roadmap to guide this transformation.

The workshop was chaired by F M Mahbubur Rahman, Director of the Planning, Project Implementation, and ICT Wing, DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of an accurate and actionable roadmap to ensure equitable access to information in agricultural extension, facilitated by digital technology. He added, “Collaboration among various stakeholders is crucial for the successful formulation and implementation of such a roadmap.”

Special guests at the event included Dr. Md. Saleh Ahmed, CABI Country Representative; Shah Md. Nasim, Former Project Director of NATP-2; Professor Dr. Noman Farooq from the Department of Plant Pathology at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University; Mohammed Safiuzzaman, National Digital Coordinator, CABI; Professor Dr. Shaef Ullah from the Department of Entomology at Bangladesh Agricultural University; and Md. Tawhidul Islam Khan, Additional Agriculture Officer and Assistant Digital Coordinator, CABI.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Miah Abdur Rashid, Consultant at CABI, who provided insights into various strategies for strengthening digital advisory services. His presentation covered innovative uses of technology and models for effectively delivering advisory services to farmers at their doorstep.

The workshop was moderated by Karima Akhtar, Additional Deputy Director of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). She facilitated the discussions and collected participants’ feedback and recommendations.

Participants actively deliberated on the importance of digital advisory services and proposed actionable recommendations to make agricultural extension more data-driven and effective. Key points included the development of advanced technological tools, capacity-building initiatives, and fostering international collaborations to support the local delivery of agricultural advisory services.

In concluding remarks, the organizers stated, “The recommendations from this workshop will play a pivotal role in drafting a practical and implementable policy roadmap. We are optimistic that this initiative will accelerate the digital transformation of the agricultural sector and open new avenues for improving farmers’ livelihoods.”

This workshop marks a significant step toward integrating innovative digital technologies into the country’s agricultural extension framework while ensuring the delivery of world-class services to farmers.

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