Blog Post

New Agricultural Policy Support Unit Will Aid Bangladeshi Agricultural Sector

On November 4, the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the USAID-funded Bangladesh Policy Research and Strategy Support Program (PRSSP) and IFPRI, launched a new program designed to fill gaps in knowledge surrounding the country's food security and agricultural sector. The Agricultural Policy Support Unit (APSU) will build capacity for critical policy research within the country and will provide evidence-based recommendations for short-term, medium-term, and long-term policies.

A main focus of the APSU is the delivery of timely and relevant information to all stakeholders within Bangladesh through the use of the latest information systems and communications technology. Policymakers and government officials will be able to access the latest national, regional, and global information regarding weather patterns, food prices, and other critical information. The program's research will result in improved information regarding crop outlooks, input markets, technology adoption by farmers, and the success of agricultural extension services.

Bangladesh Minister of Agriculture Matia Chowdhury says that the APSU will help the government ensure good policies that will protect the interests of the country's poor farmers.