CIRDAP–PRDIS, India Collaborative Webinar 🌾 From Policies to People: What Really Makes Rural Development Work? Rural development is not simply about economic growth, it is about building resilient communities, strengthening livelihoods, ensuring food and nutrition security, protecting ecosystems, and leaving no one behind. Drawing on diverse field experiences, grassroots interventions, and rural development programmes, this webinar will explore the critical factors that turn development initiatives into lasting results with – 🎙️ ESTEEMED SPEAKER Prof. S. V. ReddyAgricultural Extension & Rural Development Specialist President & Executive DirectorParticipatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS), Hyderabad, India Former Professor of Agricultural ExtensionANGRAU Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and FisheriesGovernment of Uganda Consultant: World Bank | FAO 📅 DATE & TIME Tuesday, 17 September 2026🕚 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time10:30 AM India Time 💻 JOIN THE WEBINAR Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 971 5572 7697Passcode: 352764 Join Zoom Meeting Key Insights the Webinar Will Explore 🔹 Community Ownership & Participation – Putting rural communities at the heart of development 🔹 Strong Institutions & Local Leadership – Building institutions that can deliver and sustain results 🔹 Context-Specific Approaches – Adapting programmes to local needs, realities, and capacities 🔹 Inclusion of Vulnerable Communities – Ensuring marginalized groups benefit meaningfully from development 🔹 Good Governance & Accountability – Strengthening transparency, responsiveness, and trust 🔹 Sustainable Financial Inclusion – Expanding access to appropriate financial opportunities and services 🔹 Convergence & Strategic Partnerships – Bringing together government, civil society, communities, development partners, and other stakeholders Why Join? Gain practical perspectives on what works, what sustains, and what makes rural development programmes successful—and discover lessons that can inform the design and implementation of more inclusive, effective, and sustainable rural development initiatives. Be Part of the Conversation! Learn from experience. Discover what works. Strengthen rural development. CIRDAP – Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacificin collaboration with Participatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS), India

Theme: Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation. On the occasion of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026, the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with ARINEENA, CACAARI, AFRAS, and FARA, are jointly organizing a webinar series to highlight and advance the vital contributions of women farmers to sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. As part of this initiative, CIRDAP Knowledge Series – 64 will feature a webinar: Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation 📅 Date: 29 September 2026 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (Bangkok Time) | 2:00 PM (Dhaka Time) 💻 Platform: Zoom The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, providing a global platform to recognize the indispensable contributions of women across agri-food systems—from production and processing to marketing, trade, and entrepreneurship. Despite their significant contributions to food security, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience, women farmers continue to face persistent barriers, including limited access to land and tenure rights, finance, technology, markets, agricultural services, education, and decision-making opportunities. IYWF 2026 seeks to turn recognition into action by raising global awareness, promoting inclusive policies, and advancing practical solutions to close gender gaps and strengthen the livelihoods, leadership, and resilience of women farmers. This webinar will provide an opportunity for experts, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and development stakeholders to exchange experiences, explore emerging opportunities, and discuss pathways for strengthening women’s participation and leadership across agricultural value chains and transforming agri-food systems. Join us in recognizing, empowering, and investing in the women who help feed the world. 🔗 Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CisU-ZeARJWW70qXc_TjEA#/registration Note: After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing the meeting link to join the webinar.   We look forward to your active participation and support in making this global conversation a meaningful step towards more inclusive, equitable, and transformative agri-food systems.