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

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

🌐 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 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

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/  

CIRDAP is pleased to announce the release of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development (APJORD), Volume 34, Issue 2, December 2024. 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/34/2

We are pleased to invite you to a special webinar in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025 titled: “Women in Agriculture and Rural Development – Empowering Change” Date: Monday, March 10, 2025Time: 3:00 PM Bangladesh Time | 9:00 AM UK TimePlatform: Zoom Honorable Speaker:Dr. Jacqueline HughesSecretary General, World Agriculture ForumSDG Room, Royal Institute of Tropics (KIT)Mauritskade 64, 1092 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands  Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/91224962882?pwd=KUy0t9zTRd1LAYsJuGcubKCvO0kaUP.1 Meeting ID: 912 2496 2882 Passcode: 890255 Find your local dial-in number: Click here Your presence and insights will add immense value to the discussion. We also encourage you to share this invitation with your network to further amplify the voices of women in agriculture and rural development.

Announcement of Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management – National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) for academic year 2025-26 for CIRDAP Member Countries. We are glad to inform that the admissions for the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) 2025-26: Batch-23 has started. Attached is the Application form to seek nominations of the students from CIRDAP Member countries. Last date for receipt of the applications from In-Service students is 30th April 2025. Candidates will be interviewed by teleconferencing / videoconferencing jointly by CIRDAP and NIRD&PR. Taking the past experience on the health status of the candidates, it is mandatory for the candidates to submit their health status by way of producing the test reports of HIV 1 and Il and HBS-AG from a recognized Medical institution. These reports are mandatory and are required to be sent along with Application. Further, in so for as the Programme Management is concerned, the PGDRDM is a teaching programme encompassing everyday class room sessions, assignments, both short and long field visits. The programme rigour is high as it comprises 24 courses with 66 credits in three Trimesters. Students must pass all the courses of the Trimester. The entire course will be taught in English only, hence the proficiency of students in writing and spoken English is compulsory. During the field visits the students are expected to stay in villages where the facilities will be bare minimum. You are aware that each international student will be housed at an independent moderately furnished Quarters. They are supposed to manage their kitchen and daily needs. NIRD&PR will pay them the Daily Subsistence Allowance towards purchase of Groceries, etc., as per NIRD&PR norms. Interested candidates from Preferred Sectors need to apply through the proper channels and submit the filled up application to administration@cirdap.org by 30th April 2025. Click here to see the Application Form PGDRDM Batch 23 International

The webinar will be held on February 20, 2025 (Thursday) at 11 am Bangladesh Time (10:30 am in India). The Honorable Speaker is Mr. Sachin Hegdekudgi, Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Director, RootsGoods Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560092, India. Please click on the link below to attend the webinar Topic: webinar on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Improving Farmer’s Livelihood’ Time: Feb 20, 2025 11:00 AM Astana, Dhaka Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97448123767?pwd=QU6w9mOXbLV6i3CjztGLPKtUPU97CG.1 Meeting ID: 974 4812 3767 Passcode: 309995 _____ Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aejP77i60