In November 2025, Agroecology Coalition Bangladesh (ACB) in partnership with Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH), convened two important national policy dialogues aimed at addressing structural challenges within Bangladesh’s agri-food systems. The events brought together senior government officials, policy experts, international agencies, researchers, farmers’ representatives, civil society actors and media professionals to collectively explore pathways toward a more sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient food system.
Strengthening Agricultural Policy for Systemic Reform
The first dialogue, titled “National Agricultural Policies and Its Aspects: Challenges and Way Forward for Implementing the Agri-Food System” was held on 6 November 2025 at the Bonik Barta office in Dhaka. The session was presided over by PKSF Managing Director Md. Fazlul Kader. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian attended as Chief Guest, while Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), S. M. Sohrab Uddin, joined as Special Guest. The dialogue commenced with a welcome address by Mohsin Ali, Convener of ACB and Executive Director of WAVE Foundation. The keynote paper was presented by Ahmed Borhan, Director of Research at the Center for Social Research (CSR), setting the stage for in-depth discussions on policy gaps, implementation challenges and opportunities for transforming agricultural governance in Bangladesh.
Addressing Fisheries and Livestock Policy Challenges
The second policy dialogue, “Basic Policies of Fisheries and Livestock Sectors: Implementation Challenges and Way Forward” was held on 24 November 2025 at the CIRDAP in Dhaka. The event brought together Farida Akhter as the Chief Guest, Honorable Adivsor, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestok, senior secretaries, representatives from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), development partners, INGOs/NGOs, civil society organizations, academia and media representatives. This session broadened the discussion to the fisheries and livestock sectors, recognizing the interdependence of agriculture, fisheries and livestock in ensuring food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods. Participants highlighted implementation bottlenecks, regulatory weaknesses and the urgent need for policy coherence across sectors.
Key Policy Recommendations
Drawing from keynote presentations, expert inputs and stakeholder deliberations, the dialogues generated a set of comprehensive and forward-looking recommendations:
- Formulation of a unified National Agri-Food System Policy by harmonizing agriculture, fisheries, and livestock policies to eliminate overlaps and dualities.
- Increased public investment in organic inputs to gradually reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Institutional support for the formation of Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs) or Farmers’ Producer Companies through dedicated wings within the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate legal registration and provide technical assistance.
- Establishment of independent, farmer-centered marketing systems nationwide to strengthen producers’ bargaining power.
- Development of specialized curricula and structured training programs for agricultural extension officers and farmers to accelerate the adoption of agroecological practices.
- Creation of a regulatory framework in wholesale markets to ensure safe and quality food.
- Promotion of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) at farm level to ensure food safety from production to consumption.
- Formulation of a national strategy for conservation and development of climate-resilient and disease-resistant indigenous varieties and species.
- Generation of evidence through action research to scale and institutionalize agroecology practices.
Together, these two dialogues highlighted the urgent need for integrated, evidence-based and farmer-centered policy reform to transform Bangladesh’s agri-food systems. By fostering constructive engagement between policymakers, practitioners, and grassroots actors, the events contributed to building consensus on practical and actionable reform pathways.
