Dhaka: A seminar focusing on Dutch-Bangla agricultural cooperation was successfully organized by the Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DBCCI) in collaboration with LIMRA Exhibitions. The event, titled ‘Bridging the Gap Between High-Tech, Sustainable Dutch Agricultural Systems and Bangladesh’s Scale, Climate-Vulnerability and Agro-Processing Bottlenecks,’ was held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminar brought together leading agricultural experts, researchers, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and diplomats from both Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Supported by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), and other stakeholders, the event aimed to facilitate strategic dialogue on strengthening agricultural innovation and technology transfer.
With around 90 participants, including university scholars, development partners, and private-sector representatives, the seminar served as a platform for discussing climate-resilient farming cooperation. Distinguished speakers offered insights on sustainable agriculture and innovations in the agri-value chain. Among them were Prof. Dr. Md. Ashabul Hoque of SAU, Dr. Md. Golam Mahboob of BARC, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shamsul Alam Bhuiyan of BAU, and Sanjib Kumar Saha, a development consultant and policy analyst.
Md. Shakawat Hossain Mamun, President of DBCCI, delivered opening remarks highlighting the significance of Dutch-Bangladesh cooperation in advancing agricultural sustainability. Presentations included topics such as transforming Bangladesh’s agriculture through innovation, agriculture for all farmers, and climate-smart agriculture.
A key segment of the seminar was a panel discussion on ‘Joint Pathways for Sustainable Agri-Development: Opportunities and Challenges,’ featuring experts from BAU, SAU, BARC, and representatives from the private sector and development partners. The session was moderated by Md. Shakawat Hossain Mamun and included an interactive open discussion on innovation-led agricultural development and climate-smart farming technologies.
The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Saif Uddowlah, Chair of the DBCCI Agro Committee.