Emphasising the central role of agriculture in Bangladesh’s economy and future development, the “Seeds of Growth” event was held on Thursday at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium of East West University, bringing together academics, policymakers, and young innovators.
The day-long program featured a series of engaging sessions, beginning with a panel discussion titled “Agriculture and Bangladesh’s Economic Future.”
The session brought together experts from academia and industry, including Abeer Khandakar, Dr MA Sattar Mandal, Dr Muhammad Yunus, and Md Mahmudur Rahman.
Panelists highlighted the indispensable contribution of farmers in sustaining agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, noting that while technological advancements such as artificial intelligence are reshaping industries, they cannot replace the experience, judgment, and resilience of farmers.
The discussion also focused on key challenges facing the sector, including structural and institutional constraints, gaps in policy formulation and implementation, climate-related risks, and broader economic vulnerabilities. Emphasis was placed on the need for innovation, improved financial inclusion, effective risk management, and stronger youth engagement to modernise agriculture.
Following the panel, Dr Biva Arani Mallik, associate professor of Economics at East West University and Director of the Centre for Urban Studies and Sustainable Development, addressed participants as a judge of the “Harvest Round.”
She encouraged participants to think critically, remain committed to sustainable solutions, and contribute actively to the sector’s development.
During the prize-giving ceremony, special guest Dr Iqtiar Uddir Md Mamun underscored the importance of agriculture to Bangladesh’s economy, stressing the need for strategic planning, innovation, and financial inclusion to strengthen the sector.
The event also featured finalist PowerPoint presentations, where selected teams presented policy proposals before a judging panel and an invited audience.
Team Axisone from Rajshahi University emerged as champion, while Team Biriyani from United International University secured the first runner-up position and Team Sleepyheads from the University of Dhaka became the second runner-up.
The program concluded with a cultural closing ceremony, marking the end of an initiative that organisers said fostered knowledge exchange, inspired young minds, and reinforced agriculture’s role as a cornerstone of sustainable growth and development in Bangladesh.
