DHAKA, June 15, 2026 (BSS) - Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) today held 
a high-level consultation meeting with representatives of the International 
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to explore potential 
collaboration under the proposed Growth for Climate Resilient and 
Environmental Entrepreneurship and Nutrition (GREEN) Project.

The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships to promote climate-
resilient agriculture, food security, nutrition, agroecological technologies, 
sustainable entrepreneurship development and transformation of food systems 
in Bangladesh, said a press release.

Managing Director (MD) of PKSF Md Fazlul Kader chaired the meeting.

Among others, IFAD Country Director for Bangladesh Dr Valantine Achancho, WFP 
Deputy Head of Programme Maribeth Black, FAO Bangladesh Deputy Country 
Representative Dia Sanou and PKSF Deputy MD Dr Akonda Rafiqul Islam spoke at 
the event. 

Officials from PKSF, IFAD, FAO and WFP also attended the consultation.

During the discussion, participants emphasized the importance of coordinated 
efforts to address climate change challenges while ensuring sustainable food 
production, improved nutrition and enhanced livelihood opportunities for 
rural communities.

Dr Achancho said IFAD's support goes beyond financing, noting that the 
organization provides loans through the Bangladesh government alongside 
technical training and capacity-building assistance to beneficiaries to 
ensure sustainable development outcomes.

Speaking on the occasion, Md Fazlul Kader underscored the need to strengthen 
Bangladesh's microenterprise sector as a key driver of inclusive economic 
growth.

"Finance alone cannot create magic. Sustainable transformation requires a 
combination of finance, technical support, market access, innovation and 
capacity development," he said.

The PKSF MD highlighted the foundation's emphasis on demand-driven technical 
assistance, low-cost interventions, value-added agriculture, resource-
efficient and cleaner production (RECP), and market-based solutions capable 
of sustaining benefits beyond project completion.

He also stressed the importance of establishing internationally recognized 
food testing laboratories and certification systems to enhance food safety, 
quality assurance and the country's export competitiveness.

The proposed GREEN Project is expected to support climate-resilient and 
environmentally sustainable agricultural practices while fostering 
entrepreneurship and improving nutrition outcomes across the country, 
speakers said.