Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Sept 23, 2025 (BSS) - SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) started a three-day Regional Experts Meeting today with the theme of “Role of Agroforestry in Improvement of Rural Livelihood and Building Climate-Resilient Communities in the Region.” 

The event has brought together nearly 30 researchers, policymakers and practitioners from six member countries of SAARC to discuss how agroforestry can transform rural economies and strengthen climate resilience, said a press release.

Dr. Raza Ullah Khan, Senior Program Specialist (Natural Resource Management), SAC, welcomed the delegates and outlined the objectives of the meeting. 

He emphasized the urgency of exploring agroforestry as a nature-based solution to address the pressing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity in the region. 

Delivering the keynote speech, Dr SK Dhyani, Senior Fellow of CIFOR-ICRAF, highlighted agroforestry as a proven strategy for addressing climate change impacts while fostering sustainable and inclusive development in South Asia. 

He stressed that with food demand expected to rise by 50 percent by 2050, the region cannot afford to lose productive agricultural land to forest expansion. 

Dr. Dhyani also urged for policy mainstreaming, stronger institutional support for planting material production and public-private partnerships, while inviting participants to the first South Asian Agroforestry Congress.

Special guest Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF) at the SAARC Secretariat in Nepal, commended SAC for hosting the event and underscored agroforestry’s vital role in tackling climate change and improving rural economies. 

He called for stronger regional cooperation and enabling policies to scale up agroforestry practices.

Chief Guest Dr Md Mahmudur Rahman, Additional Secretary (PPC), Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh and Member of SAC’s Governing Board, highlighted success stories of agroforestry in Bangladesh. 

He emphasized the need for innovation, investment and coordinated action to mainstream agroforestry in agricultural development policies, stressing its importance for both climate resilience and sustainable food systems.

Dr. Roland Frutig of the Agroforestry Promotion Network presented on “Agroforestry – Ways Out of Deficit Agriculture Toward Resilient Food Systems,” highlighting its role in building resilience. 

The opening day also featured a technical session, chaired by Dr. Md. Saifullah of BARC, where experts shared case studies and strategies to scale up agroforestry across the SAARC region.