Rajshahi:Participants at an advocacy meeting on agroecology and safe food have called for integrated initiatives to reduce the harmful use of chemical inputs in agriculture, conserve agricultural biodiversity, uphold farmers' rights, and ensure safe food from production to consumption.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, more than 56 women, men, and youths participated in the meeting, which was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) and Green Coalition at Bargachi village in Paba Upazila.
Md. Touhidul Islam, Program Officer (Agriculture) of BARCIK Rajshahi Resource Center; Md. Atikur Rahman, President of Barendra Youth Forum; Rahima Begum, President of Paba Upazila Green Coalition and a women's leader; and Poly Rani, BARCIK Community and Campaign Facilitator, were among the speakers at the meeting.
During the discussion, speakers emphasized that agroecology should be considered an integrated approach to environmental sustainability, food sovereignty, and the establishment of farmers' rights, rather than just an agricultural production method. They advocated for expanding agroecological practices based on local knowledge, indigenous seeds, organic fertilizers, natural pest management, and crop diversity, instead of relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The speakers also highlighted the importance of ensuring food safety and quality at every stage—from production to processing, preservation, transportation, and marketing. They urged relevant government and non-government organizations and local stakeholders to actively participate and take integrated initiatives to implement these recommendations.