Bangladesh Academy of Agriculture (BAAG): A Quiet Force Shaping the Future of Agriculture

 

Founded in 1993 by the visionary Dr. Kazi M. Badruddoza and formally registered in 1994, the Bangladesh Academy of Agriculture (BAAG) emerged as a strategic response to food insecurity and fragmented institutional efforts. Conceived by a cohort of eminent professionals from government, academia, and international agencies, BAAG was envisioned as a neutral, science-led platform to guide Bangladesh toward food self-sufficiency and nutrition security.

Systems-Based Vision for Agricultural Transformation: BAAG’s founding philosophy recognized that agricultural progress required more than increased yields, it demanded integration across fisheries, livestock, and forestry, and alignment with nutrition, sustainability, and institutional coherence. This systems-based approach remains central to BAAG’s work, enabling it to address the complex interdependencies that define modern agriculture.

From its Dhaka headquarters, BAAG has evolved into a vibrant hub for consultation, dialogue, and knowledge exchange. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that agricultural research aligns with national priorities and global sustainability goals.

Governance and Fellowship: Anchoring Excellence: BAAG is governed by a 13-member Executive Council elected biennially, ensuring democratic representation and strategic continuity. Fellows are inducted annually based on distinguished contributions to agricultural science and development. As of 2025, BAAG has honored 66 Fellows, drawing expertise from universities, research institutions, government agencies, and international organizations.

These Fellows form a unique reservoir of intellectual capital, bridging global best practices with local realities. Their collective experience enables BAAG to offer context-sensitive, evidence-based advice, an enduring strength in a sector marked by rapid change.

Strategic Activities and Policy Influence: BAAG’s strategic influence is marked by its quiet yet consistent engagement in shaping agricultural policy and practice. Through national seminars, expert consultations, and policy dialogues, the Academy fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based decision-making. Its contributions to biotechnology and biosafety, particularly its input into the National Biotechnology Policy, demonstrate its capacity to guide complex regulatory frameworks. Similarly, BAAG’s technical support for food safety standards, aligned with Codex Alimentarius, reflects its commitment to global best practices tailored to local realities.

Equally impactful are BAAG’s efforts in climate-smart agriculture, where it has facilitated consultations that support smallholder adaptation strategies and resilience planning. Its policy briefs and strategic papers have informed government and donor priorities, helping to recalibrate agricultural R&D toward sustainability and inclusivity. By bridging science, policy, and grassroots practice, BAAG ensures that research outcomes are not confined to academia but translated into tangible improvements in food systems, contributing to Bangladesh’s evolution from food-deficit to food-surplus status.

Empowering the Next Generation: BAAG’s commitment to human capital is reflected in its mentorship programs, internship facilitation, and advocacy for structured career placement in agricultural universities. Fellows regularly mentor young researchers and support initiatives that connect academic learning with field experience.

For example, BAAG has partnered with institutions like Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Bangladesh Agricultural University to promote student engagement in research and extension. These efforts equip emerging professionals with the skills and networks needed for leadership in agriculture, safeguarding the continuity of expertise across generations.

Custodian of Institutional Memory: Beyond its advisory role, BAAG serves as a vital custodian of institutional memory, preserving the evolution of agricultural policy and the contributions of its Fellows and partners. In a sector often fragmented by shifting priorities, BAAG’s archives and publications offer continuity and coherence. Notable works such as Agricultural Transformation in Bangladesh: Reflections and Roadmaps, Climate Resilience in Agriculture: Policy Perspectives, and Food Safety and Nutrition Security: A Systems Approach provide valuable insights that inform future strategies. By documenting lessons learned and best practices, BAAG strengthens institutional learning and equips policymakers and researchers with the historical depth needed for sustainable progress.

Strategic Directions for the Future: As Bangladesh navigates the intersecting challenges of climate change, urbanization, and digital disruption, BAAG’s strategic foresight positions it as a vital force for agricultural renewal. Central to its future vision is youth engagement, through mentorship and innovation fellowships, BAAG cultivates a new generation of scientists and entrepreneurs equipped to lead with curiosity and problem-solving. Its commitment to digital transformation is equally forward-looking: by guiding the ethical adoption of AI, remote sensing, and precision agriculture, BAAG ensures that technological progress remains inclusive, protecting data integrity and empowering smallholders.

In parallel, BAAG is advancing climate finance and resilience by advising on carbon farming, climate-smart investments, and sustainable value chains. Strategic partnerships with Bangladesh Bank and ERD aim to institutionalize financing mechanisms that align agriculture with sustainability goals. To reinforce policy accountability, BAAG proposes a Policy Watch mechanism to monitor implementation and recommend improvements. On the global stage, its collaborations with FAO, APAARI, ACIAR, and others foster joint research and innovation co-creation, positioning Bangladesh as a regional thought leader. These initiatives reflect BAAG’s evolving role, not just as a policy advisor, but as an incubator of inclusive reform and a catalyst for future-ready agriculture.

BAAG strengthens the education–research–extension continuum by linking academic innovation with field application. It actively advocates for curriculum reform, demand-driven interdisciplinary research, and digital extension systems to modernize agricultural learning and practice. A notable example is its 2025 national seminar, “Need of Internship for Higher Education in Agriculture”, which convened university leaders, policymakers, and development partners to explore structured internship models. The seminar emphasized experiential learning and institutional collaboration to better prepare graduates for real-world challenges. Through such initiatives, BAAG reinforces its commitment to transforming agriculture into a knowledge-driven, future-ready enterprise.

Legacy and Leadership: BAAG’s enduring strength lies in its quiet, consistent contribution to national progress. Its Fellows have shaped academic curricula, advised ministries, and mentored professionals who now lead key institutions. In a landscape often divided by competing interests, BAAG offers coherence, credibility, and strategic foresight.

Its legacy is not merely institutional, it is deeply personal. The Academy embodies the values and vision of its founders and Fellows, demonstrating how scientific integrity and collaboration can drive national transformation.

Final Reflection: In today’s dynamic agricultural landscape, BAAG serves not merely as a policy advisor but as a convener of institutional purpose. By fostering strategic foresight, it unites academia, government, and development partners to co-create solutions that transcend sectoral silos. Its true influence lies in shaping institutional thinking, embedding systems approaches, ethical innovation, and long-horizon planning into the architecture of agricultural governance. BAAG’s quiet leadership cultivates a shared language of resilience and reform, ensuring that education, research, and extension operate as an integrated national mission. Its enduring message is clear: transformation is not a task, it is a mindset embedded in institutional culture.


Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is National Consultant, Bangladesh of ICCAP Project, APRACA.