DAE, FAO Push Sustainable Agri-food Transformation in Cox’s Bazar

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have called for wider adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices in Bangladesh, with a focus on scaling up innovations developed in Cox’s Bazar.

The call came at a Coordination and Learning Workshop on Sustainable Agri-food Systems Transformation held in Cox’s Bazar on August 16, bringing together senior government officials, UN agencies and representatives of NGOs and international organizations.

The workshop reviewed progress under the European Union-funded Pro-Resilience Action (PROACT) project, titled “Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar.” Participants discussed how successful innovations developed under the project could be integrated into national agricultural systems.

A key focus of the workshop was the Aggregation Centre (AC) model, which brings climate-smart technologies, digital agricultural advisory services, quality inputs, post-harvest support and market linkages closer to smallholder and marginalized farming households.

Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Director of Administration and Finance at DAE, said the project had demonstrated the potential of Aggregation Centres to deliver a range of services directly to farming communities.

“DAE is committed to building on these experiences and exploring opportunities to institutionalize and scale the Aggregation Centre model within the national agricultural extension system,” he said.

The workshop also reviewed two technical assessments on climate-smart fish-drying technologies and the effectiveness of agent banking services delivered through Aggregation Centres.

Implemented by FAO in collaboration with DAE under the Ministry of Agriculture, PROACT operates in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya and Teknaf. The project seeks to strengthen food and nutrition security, livelihoods and resilience through climate-smart crop production, fish farming, sustainable dried-fish production, agricultural value-chain development, market access and financial literacy.

As part of the initiative, 10,000 households have so far received training in nutrient-dense vegetable production.

FAO Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Dia Sanou said the partnership with DAE and the European Union was helping demonstrate how climate-smart agriculture, digital advisory services and market access could be integrated around the needs of vulnerable farming communities.

“As PROACT moves into its next phase, FAO remains committed to working with DAE to ensure that the lessons learned here translate into lasting benefits well beyond Cox’s Bazar,” Sanou said.

The workshop concluded with technical presentations and an open discussion on replication and scale-up strategies, with government and field-level stakeholders exploring ways to sustain and expand the agricultural innovations beyond the project lifecycle.