A student-led policy competition on Thursday at East West University (EWU) spotlighted a new generation of ideas aimed at modernising Bangladesh's agriculture, with participants proposing data-driven reforms to boost productivity, strengthen food security and bridge the gap between traditional farming and contemporary policy frameworks.
The agricultural innovation took centre stage at a national competition, hosted by the Economics Club of the EWU.
A total of eight competing teams from the leading universities of the country presented policy proposals designed to transform the country's agriculture sector.
Held at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium, the event brought together students, academic experts and government stakeholders in a structured dialogue on the future of agriculture.
Competing for a prize pool exceeding Tk 37,000, participants outlined strategies ranging from technology adoption and climate-resilient crops to market reforms and improved supply chains.
The competition underscored a growing emphasis on evidence-based policymaking, with teams leveraging data to address longstanding inefficiencies in the agriculture sector.
The proposals focused on increasing crop yielding, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing farmers' access to financing and digital tools.
Organisers said the initiative aimed at creating a level playing field for young researchers to engage directly with policymakers, at a time when Bangladesh is facing mounting pressure to ensure food security amid unabated climate challenges and a shrinking agricultural workforce.
Judges highlighted the importance of integrating innovation with practical implementation, noting that most of the ideas reflected a nuanced understanding of both grassroots realities and macro-economic constraints.
