Training on Integrated Weed Management for Farmers and Advisors in Bangladeshi Farming Systems

Description

Bangladesh ranks 160th out of 181 in the ND-GAIN Vulnerability Index (June 2023), highlighting its high susceptibility to climate change. By 2050, the population is expected to reach 250 million, increasing pressure on agricultural productivity while cultivable land is projected to shrink by 30% due to urbanisation and climate change.

Weed Management: A Critical Need
With decreasing arable land, efficient weed management is crucial for food security. Uncontrolled weeds can reduce crop yields by 30–50%, making them the highest pest-related cost in agriculture. Advanced Integrated Weed Management (aIWM)—including safe herbicide use, non-chemical control, resistance monitoring, and emerging technologies—is essential for sustaining national food production.

Stakeholder Engagement & Workshops (January 2025)
A team led by Dr. Asad, with Dr. Hanwen Wu and Prof. Deirdre Lemerle, engaged with key stakeholders, including:

Ministry of Agriculture, Australian High Commission, Krishi Govenshona Foundation (KGF)
Workshops at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University, and the Eco-Social Development Organisation
Discussions with Supreme Seeds PTY. Ltd., Wheat & Maize Research Institute, and Kurigram Agricultural University
Engagement with 200+ participants involved in agricultural production
Key Areas of Concern
Unsafe herbicide use: Poor knowledge of application methods, affecting efficacy and safety.
Knowledge gaps: Limited understanding of weed biology and identification.
Herbicide resistance (HR): Suspected resistance in key weed species due to overreliance on chemical control.
Lack of IWM strategies: Minimal adoption of integrated approaches combining cultural and chemical methods.
Limited data on weed impact: Absence of comprehensive data on weed issues and control effectiveness.
Slow adoption of innovations: Limited use of AI, drones, spot spraying, and Decision Support Systems (DSS).
Workshop Outcomes
Enhanced knowledge among farmers and researchers on weed issues and management.
Identified research gaps for future projects.
Opportunities for joint projects on sustainable weed management.
Proposed short- and long-term projects, including:
Safe herbicide use & resistance testing
Advanced IWM (drones, app-based technologies, etc.)
Developing a centralised Weed Management Hub under “One Health”

Capacity Building & Future Collaboration
Supported by Crawford Fund Australia's NSW training program and the Gulbali Institute at Charles Sturt University, the initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Bangladeshi farmers and extension officers in IWM and herbicide resistance strategies.

Period	16 Jan 2025 → 22 Jan 2025
Event type	Workshop
Location	Dhaka, Dinajpur and Thakurgaon , BangladeshShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International