Dhaka: The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and with financial support from the Gates Foundation, today launched a groundbreaking agricultural project here. The "Technical Support to Sustainable and Resilient Investment Towards Agriculture Sector Transformation Programme (AsTP)" was launched at a high-level inception workshop held at a city hotel.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the AsTP project marks a major milestone in Bangladesh's journey to modernize its agriculture sector and enhance sustainability, resilience, and productivity in the face of growing global and local challenges. The initiative, which falls under the government's broader Agriculture Transformation Programme (ATP), is designed to catalyze systemic change through evidence-based planning, targeted regional investment, and strengthened institutional capacity. Endorsed by the Economic Relations Division of the government in March 2025 and approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in April 2025, the project will be implemented by FAO, with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) serving as the lead executing agency.
Key collaborating government institutions include the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). The project demonstrates strong strategic alignment with national agricultural priorities, such as the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the National Agriculture Policy 2018.
Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian was present at the event as the chief guest, while Anping Ye, Director of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division at FAO Headquarters, Siddharth Chaturvedi, Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, and Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, joined as special guests. Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman of BARC, chaired the event, which saw participation from over 150 representatives from government institutions, development partners, private sector entities, academia, and civil society organizations.
Dr. Emdad Ullah Mian discussed Bangladesh's priorities for agricultural transformation, stating, "The AsTP project comes at a crucial time as Bangladesh redefines its agricultural priorities ahead of LDC graduation. It will help us align national policy with evidence, invest strategically, and empower institutions to deliver." Anping Ye highlighted the project's reflection of South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division's values, emphasizing mutual learning and adapting proven solutions to local realities. Jiaoqun Shi emphasized FAO's ongoing collaboration with the government, stating that the project is a bold step toward transforming agriculture in Bangladesh.
The AsTP project is structured around three interconnected components, providing a platform for technical dialogue and stakeholder alignment. The workshop included presentations on the project's components and objectives, followed by a high-level panel discussion on translating vision into action through evidence, investment, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and institutional readiness. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing agricultural transformation through coordinated, inclusive, and data-driven approaches.