The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have called for wider adoption of the Aggregation Centre (AC) model to strengthen sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems across Bangladesh.
The call came at a national coordination and learning workshop on sustainable agri-food systems transformation held in Cox's Bazar on Sunday, where government agencies, UN bodies and development partners reviewed the progress of the EU-funded Pro-Resilience Action (PROACT) project, said an FAO release.
The workshop focused on how innovations developed under the project could be integrated into the national agricultural extension system and replicated beyond Cox's Bazar.
The AC model was highlighted as one of the key achievements of PROACT, as it brings climate-smart technologies, digital agricultural advisory services, quality farm inputs, post-harvest support and market linkages closer to smallholder and marginalised farmers.
Dr Md Zakir Hossain, director (administration and finance) of DAE, said the project had demonstrated that aggregation centres could effectively connect smallholder farmers with technologies, services and markets.
“DAE is committed to building on these experiences and exploring opportunities to institutionalise and scale the Aggregation Centre model within the national agricultural extension system,” he said.
He added that appropriate policy support, resources and partnerships would be needed to sustain the services beyond the project and extend their benefits to farming communities across Bangladesh.
Implemented by FAO in collaboration with DAE under the Ministry of Agriculture, PROACT operates in Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas.
The project seeks to improve food and nutrition security, expand livelihood opportunities and strengthen resilience among farming households through climate-smart crop production, fish farming, sustainable dried-fish production, stronger agricultural value chains, improved market access and financial literacy.
A major focus of the workshop was the experience of FAO-supported aggregation centres, where DAE Cox's Bazar provides institutional and technical leadership.
The project has so far trained 10,000 households in nutrient-dense vegetable production, according to the organisers.
Participants also discussed findings from two technical assessments covering climate-smart fish-drying technologies and the effectiveness of agent banking services delivered through aggregation centres.
Dia Sanou, deputy FAO representative in Bangladesh, said the AC model demonstrated how combining climate-smart agriculture, digital advisory services and market linkages could improve the livelihoods of smallholder and marginalised farming households.
“As PROACT moves into its next phase, FAO remains committed to working with DAE to ensure that the lessons learned here translate into lasting benefits well beyond Cox's Bazar,” he said.
The workshop concluded with technical presentations and an open discussion on strategies for replicating and institutionalising successful agricultural practices after the project ends.
The PROACT project is funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO in partnership with DAE to strengthen food security, livelihoods and resilience in Cox's Bazar.
