Desk report::

A Learning and co-creating technology-enabled pathways for accelerating adaptation and mitigation workshop on Climate Advisory Service for Enabling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) held at Grand Ballroom, Ascott Palace, Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, Dhaka on Monday, the 28th October 2024.

The Objectives of the workshop are: 1) Understanding the role of Climate Advisory Services (CAS) for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) 2) Showcasing Success Stories and Case Studies of Climate Advisory Service 3) Co-creating a sustainable pathway for integrating CAS for anticipatory action 4) Call to partner in creating a Community of Practice around Climate Advisory Services.

The Workshop organized jointly by mPower Social Enterprises Ltd. and Friends In Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) where the Keynote topic was Climate Advisory Services (CAS) as catalyst for resilient and smart farming: Opportunities and Constraints presented by T.S. Amjath Babu, Agricultural Economist – Modeling and Targeting, CIMMYT. Then a Knowledge Session arranged on Deep dives into use-cases Portrayal of technology-enabled climate advisory in action in Bangladesh’s grassroots discussion on Agromet Forecast and Advisory Service in Bangladesh by Dr. Md. Shameem Hassan Bhuyian, Director, Storm Warning Center, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Insights and impact from SHUFOLA to empower farmers and activate climate-smart farming by Shah Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, mPower Social Enterprises Ltd. There were a Group Activity on Collective co-creation session on developing sustainable pathways for integrating CAS for benefiting smallholder farmers and agricultural ecosystems in climate-vulnerable contexts of Bangladesh. After the group work a Panel Discussion held to discuss integration on CAS for anticipatory action moderated by Sadman Sadek with panel members Mr. Parvez Mohammad Asheque, Team Leader, Bangladesh Micro insurance Market Development Programme (BMMDP), Swisscontact, Dr. Kashfia Ahmed, CEO, Win Incorporate, Md. Mamunur Rashid, Head of projects, Welthungerhilfe Bangladesh.

Speakers said that Bangladesh is the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change impacts – affecting smallholder farmers and agricultural ecosystem the most. Strengthening Climate Advisory Service for taking anticipatory action can be one such tool. On the other hand, increasing technology adoption at the community level provides us with avenues to drive climate adaptation and mitigation measures through data and information. They hope that this workshop will bring together experts, practitioners and policy makers to engage on thought providing dialogues, sessions, and exercises to pave the way for strengthening the CAS of Bangladesh for making the communities that we serve more climate resilient.

The workshop ended with thanks to all by Mridul Chowdhury, CEO-mPower Social Enterprises Ltd.