Shohreh Soltani
Designation: Senior Consultant (ICT) || Organization: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare || Country: India
Experts, List-1
Experts, List-1
Sagarika Hitihamu
Designation: Senior Consultant (ICT) || Organization: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare || Country: India
Strengthening Climate-Resilient Food Systems for a Safer Tomorrow
CIRDAP is proud to have participated in the 7th International Scientific Conference on Food Safety and Health (ISCFSH), hosted by the Bangladesh Society for Safe Food (BSSF), convened on May 10, 2025, at the BARC Auditorium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The inaugural session was graced by Farida Akhter, Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh, as the Chief Guest. The keynote address was delivered by HE. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), focused on the urgent theme of “Climate-Resilient Food Security and Safety.” Emphasizing the urgent need to adapt our food systems to climate change, Dr. Shekara highlighted climate-smart agriculture, integrated farming, social safety nets, community-based solutions, and eco-friendly enterprises as key pathways forward. With agriculture at the heart of Bangladesh’s economy and food security, CIRDAP calls for stronger partnerships, increased investment in R&D, and greater farmer empowerment to build a sustainable, climate-resilient future. The conference was organised by Dr. Mohammad Sorwar Jahan, General Secretary of BSSF and Dr.Khaled Hossain, President, BSSF. The event brought together national and international experts, researchers, academicians, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change on food systems. #FoodSecurity #ClimateResilience #Bangladesh #CIRDAP #Agriculture #ISCFSH
Webinar on ‘Secondary Agriculture: How to make a beginning – Policies, Programmes and innovations’
An invitation to our next exciting webinar of the CIRDAP Knowledge (webinar) Series 2025 titled ‘’Secondary Agriculture: How to make a beginning – Policies, Programmes and innovations’Date and Time: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 11 am (Astana, Dhaka) Bangladesh time HONORABLE SPEAKERDr. Ashok Dalwai,Agriculture ExpertChairman, Prime Minister Committee on Doubling of Farmers’ Income,Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India.IAS Officer (Retd.) To join the webinar https://zoom.us/j/93682735582?pwd=t7BDZby9VCs5Y3p1fWkMdPaYraO9yA.1 Meeting ID: 936 8273 5582Passcode: 019790
National Seminar on Extension Education Strategies for Digital Agriculture: Experiences and Sustainable Pathways 20-22 June, 2025
The agricultural world is evolving into a digital one. Digital agriculture is the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data into farming practices to revolutionize traditional agricultural methods. At its core, digital agriculture enables smart farming, where precision agriculture technologies are implemented to optimize planting, irrigation, and harvesting processes, thereby increasing efficiency and minimizing resource wastage. Automation and robotics further enhance modern agriculture by streamlining labour-intensive tasks, while blockchain technology ensures transparency and traceability across the supply chain. These innovations empower farmers with data-driven decision-making tools, predictive analytics for climate resilience, and mobile-based advisory services for real-time guidance. Additionally, digital agriculture strengthens market linkages through e-commerce platforms and blockchain-enabled supply chains. As the world faces evolving agricultural challenges ranging from climate change and resource constraints to food security and rural development. Indian Agriculture is also undergoing a revolutionary transformation, driven by digital innovation and smart technologies.Transformation through leveraging the digital tools in agriculture not only offers smart solutions that enhance productivity but also optimize resource use and improve resilience against environmental and economic uncertainties. Contract farming, when supported by effective data management, ensure transparency, optimize supply chains, and improve risk management. Real-time data on weather, production, and market trends enable both farmers and buyers to make informed decisions, ensuring fair pricing, quality control, and financial support. Digital technology is helping Indian farmers overcome marketing challenges by providing direct market access, real-time pricing, and reducing reliance on middlemen. Platforms like e-NAM, AgriBazaar, DeHaat, etc. enable direct access to markets, allowing farmers to by pass middlemen and secure I better prices for their produce. Real-time pricing data, mobile apps, and online logisticsplatforms provide transparency, reducing exploitation and minimizing post-harvest losses. Furthermore, digital solutions offer financial services, crop insurance, and expert advisory, empowering farmers with the knowledge and resources to improve productivity and build amore sustainable farming ecosystem. See the full brochure: Click Here
CIRDAP Knowledge Circuit 1 – Webinar on “Institutional Innovations in Rural Development: Policies to Practices – Learnings”
🌐 CIRDAP Knowledge Circuit Begins with NIRD&PR: A Cross-Learning Journey in Rural Development 🌱 We are thrilled to launch the CIRDAP Knowledge Circuit—a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and shared learning among our member countries! Our first stop is a special webinar hosted in collaboration with the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Hyderabad, India—a globally renowned institution in rural development and a pioneer Link Institute of CIRDAP. 📌 Webinar DetailsTopic: Institutional Innovations in Rural Development: Policies to Practices – Learnings Honorable Speaker: Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, IAS, Director General, NIRD&PR Date: April 24, 2025Time:• 12:00 PM Bangladesh Time• 11:30 AM India Time Interested people can join. Here are the Zoom details:🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99530433536?pwd=lahDXTb3amCAB4nw2VaXaZxXCxhyji.1📍 Meeting ID: 995 3043 3536🔑 Passcode: 175264 This exclusive webinar will spotlight:✔ The mission, mandate & structure of NIRD&PR✔ Key programmes and innovations in Integrated Rural Development✔ An engaging discussion with Heads of Link Institutions & TC 💡 The session will pave the way for a study-cum-exposure visit to NIRD&PR by the Heads of CIRDAP Link Institutions, fostering deeper collaboration and learning. 📢 Let’s build bridges of knowledge across borders!
CIRDAP – NEDAC International Collaborative Training Programme
CIRDAP – NEDAC International Collaborative Training Program, ‘Startups, Technology Entrepreneurship, and Partnerships for Vibrant Agri-Cooperatives’ (July 21-23, 2025) The CIRDAP – NEDAC International Collaborative Training Program, ‘Startups, Technology Entrepreneurship, and Partnerships for Vibrant Agri-Cooperatives’ is meticulously designed to equip agricultural and rural development professionals with cutting-edge insights, practical tools, and strategic frameworks. The aim is to foster innovation within Agri-cooperatives, enabling them to build a future-ready ecosystem grounded in efficiency, profitability, and inclusivity. Agriculture is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Agri-cooperatives play a pivotal role in promoting economic sustainability, ensuring food security, and empowering rural communities. To remain competitive and resilient in the evolving landscape, these cooperatives must embrace technological advancements, entrepreneurial approaches, and strategic collaborations. Don’t miss out—secure your spot in this exciting training program today! Embark on a transformative journey into the world of startups, technology, and entrepreneurship, and empower yourself to lead innovation in Agri-cooperatives. View the Brochure: Click here Application Form: Click here
Webinar on ‘Financing Nutrition in Asia: Current Trends and Way Forward’
On the occasion of the International Nutrition Olympiad 2025 (April 24-25, 2025), CIRDAP in collaboration with Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) and iECHO Platform, Project ECHO University of New Mexico is going to organize a significant webinar titled ‘Financing for Nutrition in Asia: Current Trends and Way Forward’. The webinar is going to be held on April 17, 2025. Here are the details of the webinar below: Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025.Time: 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time | 12:00 PM Thailand TimePlatform: iECHO PlatformDuration: 1 hour Honorable Speaker:Lalita Bhattacharjee, PhD Consultant, Results for Development (R4D)Nutrition Advisor, Nutrition Development Foundation Thailand, Senior Nutritionist, FAO -UN (Retd). Registration link: https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM17442631705968DCUQ5TWGO Please register the above link for attending the webinar. You need to do only one-time registration and it will take only a few minutes. If you have any query, please email Ms. Hurain Jannat, Communication Officer at communication_officer@cirdap.org. To know more about the the International Nutrition Olympiad 2025, you may visit: https://nutritionolympiad.net/