SAF Bangladesh and DAE partner to promote water-efficient technologies in the Barind Tract
The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh (SAF Bangladesh) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) at the DAE Headquarters in Dhaka.
This collaboration, born out of the urgent need to address water scarcity, aims to promote water-efficient technologies in agriculture in the Barind Tract, one of Bangladesh's most water-scarce regions.
The partnership will focus on the "Introducing Water Efficient Technologies in the Barind Tract (IWET)" project, supported by the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030WRG) and funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation. Key technologies, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method for rice cultivation, and drip irrigation will be promoted. With its potential to transform agriculture and mitigate climate change, the project aims to expand AWD implementation across 10,000 hectares of rice fields. These technologies are essential for improving water productivity, reducing methane emissions, and supporting climate-smart agricultural practices.
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Md Farhad Zamil, Executive Director of SAF Bangladesh, and Md. Tajul Islam Patwary, Director General of DAE signed the agreement on 29 September in Dhaka.
Dr. S. M. Hasanuzzaman, Project Director of the Agriculture Development Project for the Rajshahi Division, was also present. He stated that his team would immediately begin working with farmers across eight upazilas in the Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapai Nawabgonj districts to implement these technologies.
Representatives from the 2030WRG/World Bank Group, including Mahady Hassan, Syeda Sitwat Shahed, and Dr. Emdadul Haque, attended the signing ceremony and underscored the pivotal role of public-private collaboration in addressing water scarcity. Their presence and support highlighted the power of collective action. SAF Bangladesh was represented by Abdur Rouf and Krishno Sen, who discussed the IWET project's current initiatives and future goals.
The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF), formerly the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), has a remarkable 40-year legacy as a Swiss-based not-for-profit organisation. SAF Bangladesh has worked in Bangladesh since 2011 to support agriculture and smallholder development.
