CIRDAP proudly commemorated its 46th Foundation Day and celebrated the first-ever UN-recognized World Rural Development Day (WRDD) on 10 July 2025 at its headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The event was graced by Honourable Secretary Mr. Ismail Hossain, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as Chief Guest, and H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, as Special Guest. The celebration brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, UN representatives, and development leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, including delegates from India, Indonesia, IR Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, as well as representatives from FAO Bangladesh, BARD, and SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC). The event showcased CIRDAP’s legacy since its establishment in 1979, highlighting significant milestones such as 255 training programmes conducted and over 7,800 officials trained across its 15 member countries. Key highlights included the launch of the WRDD Poster, the release of a special edition of Agriculture World, the unveiling of a new book on rural tourism, and a signature campaign for rural development. With inspiring messages from Director General Dr. P. Chandra Shekara and the Chief Guest, the celebration reaffirmed CIRDAP’s unwavering commitment to building a digitally inclusive and climate-resilient rural future.

CIRDAP is proud to share that our MoU partner Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS), India in collaboration with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Andhra Pradesh, India celebrated World Rural Development Day (WRDD)2025 by launching the official WRDD poster at the Andra Pradesh Secretariat in Amaravathi. Led by Shri Shashi Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, and Shri M Krishna Teja, IAS, Commissioner, the event emphasized awareness campaigns to showcase rural development milestones and welfare schemes.The United Nations has declared July 6 as World Rural Development Day to acknowledge the critical role of rural progress in achieving global sustainable development goals. This observance highlights achievements, raises awareness, and fosters community participation in rural transformation.This initiative will strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure rural voices are heard and empowered.

CIRDAP is pleased to announce the release of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development (APJORD), Volume 35, Issue 1, June, 2025. As a flagship publication of CIRDAP, APJORD continues to serve as a critical platform for addressing key issues and fostering discussions on Rural Development, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This bi-annual academic journal is designed to provide a forum for academics, policymakers, NGOs, research scholars and all other stakeholders interested in IRD to exchange insights, field observations, and empirical research on rural development. If you are interested in access to full journal, kindly visit this link below: https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jrda/35/1 #APJORD #RuralDevelopment #CIRDAP #AsiaPacific #AcademicJournal#EmpiricalResearch #KnowledgeSharing

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), and the Rural Economic and Educational Development Society (REEDS) jointly released the World Rural Development Day (WRDD) poster at a special event held on June 18, 2025 at the NIRDPR campus, Hyderabad, India.The event highlighted powerful messages from the chief guest, Prof. Anil K. Gupta, founder of the Honey Bee Network, advocating for rural enterprise models and grassroots innovations.HE. Dr. P Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, announced a special outreach program initiated by REEDS, supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, where political leaders and state officials will engage directly with rural communities on July 6, 2025—the day of WRDD. Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, DG NIRDPR, emphasized reviving global attention on rural development through platforms like WRDD.The event witnessed participation from representatives of 11 CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs), including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Fiji, Philippines, Bangladesh, and India—underscoring the growing international cooperation in addressing rural development challenges and promoting inclusive growth. WRDD2025 #RuralDevelopment #CIRDAP #Innovation #InclusiveGrowth #GrassrootsToGlobal #REEDS #NIRDPR

CIRDAP and NIRDPR successfully concluded the International Training Programme on “Innovation in Rural Development: Policies to Practices – Learning” under the CIRDAP Knowledge Circuit, held from 15–22 June 2025 at NIRDPR, Hyderabad, India. The valedictory session held on June 21, 2025, featured welcome and course reflections by Dr. Kesava Rao, Associate Professor NIRDPR, followed by sharing experience by participants from Fiji, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Key remarks were delivered by HE. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, DG CIRDAP, and HE. Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, DG NIRDPR. The event concluded with certificate distribution, a vote of thanks by FAM Zakirul Huq, Head of Administration, CIRDAP and a group photo, marking the culmination of a week filled with learning, exchange, and collaboration. #CIRDAP #NIRDPR #RuralDevelopment #InnovationInAction #KnowledgeSharing

CIRDAP is proud to share that HE Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Seminar on Extension Education Strategies for Digital Agriculture: Experiences and Sustainable Pathways, held on 20 June 2025 at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, India. The award recognises his remarkable professional contributions and achievements in the field of Agricultural Extension Management. On this prestigious occasion, Dr. Shekara also delivered the keynote address on “Digital Agriculture and Practice of Extension”, highlighting innovations and future directions in the sector. The conference was jointly organized by the International Society of Extension Education (INSEE) and OUAT, Odisha. CIRDAP extends heartfelt congratulations to DG Dr. Shekara on this well-deserved honour! #CIRDAP #DigitalAgriculture #ExtensionEducation #Leadership #LifetimeAchievement #INSEE #OUAT #RuralDevelopment