CIRDAP – Enabling Rural Communities
Hyderabad, June 18 (UNI) 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 Wednesday at the NIRDPR campus here.
On 18 June 2025, CIRDAP and the Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower rural communities, promote innovation-driven enterprises, and foster cross-border knowledge exchange across the Asia-Pacific. The MoU was signed by FAM Zakirul Huq, Head of Administration, CIRDAP, and Dr. Anamika Dey, CEO, GIAN, in the presence of HE. Dr. P Chandra Shekara, Director General, CIRDAP, and Prof. Anil K. Gupta, Founder of GIAN and faculty at NIRDPR, along with PGD-RDM students and distinguished representatives from CIRDAP member countries. In his keynote address, Prof. Gupta emphasized the urgency of giving “voice, visibility, and velocity” to grassroots innovations for inclusive and sustainable rural development. #CIRDAP #GrassrootsInnovation #InclusiveDevelopment #AsiaPacific #RuralEmpowerment
CIRDAP and NIRDPR have jointly launched the International Training Programme on “Innovation in Rural Development: Policies to Practices – Learning”, held from 15th–22nd June 2025 at the NIRDPR Campus, Hyderabad, India. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, and Dr. G. Narendra Kumar, IAS, Director General of NIRDPR. The 11 representatives from CIRDAP member countries – Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam have participated in this groundbreaking initiative. This marks the second programme under the CIRDAP Knowledge Circuit, aimed at fostering innovation and best practices in rural development across the Asia-Pacific region. CIRDAP #NIRDPR #RuralDevelopment #Innovation #KnowledgeCircuit #InternationalCollaboration #CIRDAP2025
CIRDAP is proud to feature Ms. Zahra Goudarzi from the Islamic Republic of Iran, selected for the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM), 2025–26 Batch-23 at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), India. Nominated by CIRDAP and funded by the Government of India, this one-year residential programme empowers international in-service professionals with advanced knowledge in rural development. With over 10 years of experience as an Agricultural Extension Expert at the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad and holding a PhD in Agricultural Extension and Education, Ms. Goudarzi brings a wealth of expertise to the global rural development community. #CIRDAP #NIRDPR #PGDRDM #IRIran #RuralDevelopment #WomenInDevelopment #CapacityBuilding
CIRDAP is proud to feature Ms. Amele Rosalia from Fiji, selected for the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) 2025–26, Batch-23 at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), India, nominated by CIRDAP and funded by the Government of India. Ms. Rosalia brings over 6 years of experience in rural development as a Clerical Officer at the Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). With academic qualifications in Information Systems and Industrial Relations & Human Resources, she is set to enhance her professional capacity through this one-year residential programme designed for international in-service professionals. We congratulate her and look forward to her contributions in advancing rural transformation in Fiji and beyond.
CIRDAP is delighted to feature Md. Taj Nowaj Ul Kabir from Bangladesh, selected for the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) 2025–2026 Batch-23 at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), India, nominated by CIRDAP, funded by Government of India. This one-year residential programme equips experienced professionals with advanced knowledge in rural development. Currently serving as Assistant Director at Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), Dhaka, Mr. Kabir brings with him 18 years of experience in rural development, along with academic credentials in Agriculture and a Master’s in Extension Project Development, Gender & Development. His journey exemplifies regional leadership committed to transforming rural futures. CIRDAP wish him grand success in persuit of his mission to serve Rural Communities
African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT KGP), India, is organizing an Online International Training Programme on ” Advancements in Agricultural and Food Engineering in India “. The training will take place from 01-04 July 2025. This programme aims to provide a platform for cross-regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the development of strategies to advance agricultural and food engineering in AARDO member countries. It will focus on enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to implement innovative, sustainable, and technology-driven solutions in agriculture. This four-day online international training programme is designed to foster collaborative learning and practical solutions by bringing together representatives from AARDO member countries, including middle- and senior-level executives from government departments, ministries, agricultural scientists, and engineers involved in precision agriculture. The participants are required to fill in the ONLINE application form through this link only: http://aardo.org/formDD.php before the deadline, 25 June 2025. For more details: Click Here
At Vaikunth Lal Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, India, 07-10 July 2025. African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with the Vaikunth Lal Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), India, is organizing an Online International Training Programme on “Agribusiness through Cooperative Business Model”. The training will take place from 07-10 July 2025. This programme aims at providing a platform for cross-regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and at developing practical strategies to promote agribusiness through cooperative models. It will focus on enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to implement sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven agricultural enterprises. This four-day thematic training programme is designed to foster collaborative learning and practical solutions by bringing together practitioners, cooperative leaders, policymakers, and development experts. The sessions have been designed to achieve vision of strengthening cooperative movements and focusing on enhancing the role of Cooperatives in promoting rural development, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive financial systems. For more details: Click Here
On 21 May 2025, DG CIRDAP, H.E. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, paid a courtesy visit to Excellency Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Chairperson of the CIRDAP General Council and Honorable Adviser, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.During the meeting, they discussed CIRDAP’s ongoing activities and future directions to enhance regional cooperation in rural development. The exchange reaffirmed CIRDAP’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth across its member countries through strategic partnerships and shared goals. #CIRDAP #RuralDevelopment #RegionalCooperation
CIRDAP -The Local Development Training Academy (LDTA), Nepal under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), Government of Nepal, organized the third event of CIRDAP’s project titled “Capacity Development of Elected Representatives and Officials to Implement Gender Responsive Budget (GRB) at Selected Local Governments in Nepal” at Gramthan Rural Municipality, Morang, Koshi Province, Nepal, from 8 to 9 May 2025. A total of 35 representatives participated in the training program, including 14 women and 21 men. Among them, 19 were elected representatives, and 16 were rural municipal staff. The GRB training program was addressed by Mr. Kanunlal Chaudhary, Executive Director of the Local Development Training Academy ( LDTA ), NepaL & coordinated by Mr. Jaya Krishna Shrestha, Director, LDTA, Nepal.