South Asian Synergy Spurs Small Farmers’ Success
A two-day workshop marking the launch of the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC)-implemented project titled “Enhancing Livelihood of Small Farmers: Expanding Small-Scale Agribusiness through Value Chain Development” began on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Bogra.
The project, funded by the SAARC Development Fund (SDF), was implemented across five SAARC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Its primary objectives were to increase the income of small farmers, promote value-added agricultural products, and ensure sustainable livelihoods.
Under the project, several innovative products such as jackfruit and cassava chips, carrot and radish pickles, ginger powder, moringa-based products, and virgin coconut oil were developed—opening new avenues for reducing post-harvest losses and boosting farmers’ earnings. The implementing partners included BARD in Bangladesh, the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives in Bhutan, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in India, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in Maldives, and the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka.
The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre, who highlighted the project’s objectives, six-year achievements, and challenges. He remarked, “This project has played a vital role in enhancing the income and entrepreneurial capacity of small farmers.”
Dr. A.K.M. Wali Ullah, Director General (Additional Secretary) of BARD, attended as the chief guest. Commending the project’s broader impact, he said, “The initiative has significantly contributed to strengthening national policies, promoting women entrepreneurship, and advancing agri-based value chain development in SAARC countries.”
Tanvir Ahmed Torafdar, Director (ARD & SDF) at the SAARC Secretariat, attended as special guest and praised the success of the project, saying, “It is now imperative to strengthen coordination between regional institutions and national governments.”
Wasim Shahzad, Officer-in-Charge of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF), joined as an honored guest and lauded SAC and its partners, noting, “The success of this project marks the beginning of long-term transformation in South Asia’s rural development.”
Shabnam Shivakoti, Member of the SAC Governing Board and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal, emphasized regional cooperation and policy harmonization to ensure sustainable value-added agribusiness growth.
Project Coordinator Dr. Md. Yunus Ali, in his opening remarks, presented the project’s major achievements and challenges while calling for stronger regional partnerships. Dr. Nowsher Ali Sardar presented the project completion report, which highlighted significant progress in farmers’ income generation, post-harvest management, and technology adoption.
