CGIAR, in collaboration with the Bangladesh government, launched its Research Portfolio of advanced scientific innovations to help unlock the potential of Bangladesh’s agrifood system.
Participants at the high-level meeting discussed specific research deliverables in the areas of climate adaptation and mitigation; environmental health and biodiversity; poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs; gender equality, youth and inclusion; and nutrition, health and food security.
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
The 12 multi-disciplinary initiatives launched include, transforming agri-food systems in South Asia (TAFSSA), a platform from which all CGIAR Global Thematic Initiatives will engage in South Asia and Bangladesh, to deliver a coordinated program of research and engagement across the food production to consumption continuum.
They also include sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems, which will enable the production of more food on the same piece of land, while reducing the negative environmental impact.
Over the next three years, the CGIAR Research Portfolio is projected to positively impact livelihoods, productivity, and health for millions of smallholder farmers, indigenous fishers, and food-insecure families, in a highly challenging regional context, said a press release on Wednesday.
It said that representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute met with members of CGIAR to consider research, capacity and advocacy priorities and how to achieve maximum impact in Bangladesh through a One CGIAR systems approach.
Agriculture minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on the occassion said: “The strategy focuses on delivering science and innovation to advance that transformation of food, land, and water system in a climate crisis which is very important for Bangladesh.”
Livestock and fisheries minister SM Rezaul Karim said: “Food safety should be a shared responsibility among government, private sector, producer and consumers. We all must work relentlessly to address the food security challenges by working across these sectors.”
Temina Lalani-Shariff, regional director for South Asia of CGIAR, said: " There was transparent and thoughtful dialogue around emerging issues and research gaps in Bangladesh. I appreciated the opportunity to reassure our partners that One CGIAR transition will offer a one-stop shop to access our global capabilities.” she concluded.
