Farmers’ future with safe and sustainable agricultureSpeakers for innovation, market access, fair pricing, and climate resiliency

With a strong message of youth empowerment and transformation in agriculture, the Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympic (YFCA) Bangladesh 2025 officially began this morning at the Begum Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur, Dhaka.

The four-day young farmers assembly is organized by the COAST Foundation with support from the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and funded by IFAD and EU.

Over 150 young farmers and agri-entrepreneurs from more than 25 districts have gathered for learning, dialogue, and action.

In her opening speech, Ma. Estrella “Esther” Penunia, Secretary General of AFA, said, Youth is God’s gift to the future. This YFCA program is a space for young people to lead, innovate, and build solutions, especially in the face of climate crisis.

M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director, COAST Foundation, mentioned that now it’s high time for safe products. So, accessing the market is the most crucial now.

He also added that agricultural cooperatives should have control over marketing and pricing.

Md. Amirul Islam, Operations Manager-East, Central and South Asia of AFA, reiterated, young people are at the heart of AFA. We work across 16 countries and link with 27 Pacific nations to ensure that youth will feel encouraged to engage in agriculture and can influence policies at national and regional levels.

Dr. Md. Saiful Alam, Director of Student Welfare of Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), stated, the age of traditional farming is over. Youth must lead the transition toward agribusiness and modern, sustainable farming.

Other distinguished speakers included Mohsin Ali, Executive Director of WAVE Foundation mentioned that the future of farming lies in the hands of the youth, equipped not just with tools and technology, but with vision, voice, and leadership.

Ataur Rahman Milton, Country Director of Hunger Free World, emphasized regular bank transactions to build a trustworthy relationship with financial institutions that ultimately positively affect farmers in getting access to finance.

He also urged young people to break free from job-seeking mindsets and embrace entrepreneurship. He also underscored the vital role of platforms like AFA in securing farmers’ rights.

Md. Sajjad Hossain, Technical Coordinator of Padakkhep marked this arrangement as a step toward agricultural revolution.

A.B.M. Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of ALRD, said that during the pandemic, it was the farmers who kept the country afloat. It is high time we recognize their contributions, especially those of women, who constitute 56% of the agricultural workforce.

Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre, stressed the role of technology in shaping the future. From AI to drones, the future of agriculture depends on young innovators. Young participants raised critical concerns, from the high cost of organic fertilizers to the lack of capital and access. As youth farmers share, we need subsidy support and partnership between the government and NGOs to build resilient agriculture. 

He emphasized youth leadership, policy reform and cooperative models to transform agriculture.

Chair of the event, Md. Saiful Azam Khan, Director General of the Agricultural Training Academy, concluded the session by saying that due to climate change, agriculture is under threat from erratic floods, droughts, and river erosion. To build resilience and modernization in agriculture, the youth are our future.

He added that this gathering will mark a milestone in Bangladesh’s agricultural journey, where youth voices, leadership, and dreams are sowing the seeds of a sustainable and just food system.

The event was moderated by Sanat Kumar Bhowmik, Deputy Executive Director of COAST Foundation. He mentioned that agriculture is the key bone of the nation and we must save it at any cost.