Barishal –Wetlands are some of the richest and most productive places on Earth. Where land meets water, a nutrient-rich ecosystem thrives, providing food and fresh water to animals and people. Yet over the last 300 years, over 85 percent of the world's wetlands have been lost. Our remaining wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests.

Innovative approaches are needed to protect wetlands, while balancing the daily needs of the people who share these habitats. Bangladesh, with the largest coastal wetland area in South Asia, is one country that is acting, supported by FAO.

The country’s wetland habitats are under constant threat due to intensive agriculture, overfishing, siltation, pollution, ill-planned infrastructure, lack of institutional coordination and lack of awareness. As a result, the wetlands-based ecosystem and is suffering people’s living conditions are becoming more difficult.

The ‘Strengthening Sustainable Wetland Agriculture for Resilient Farmer's Livelihoods and Ecosystems’ project is a joint effort between FAO and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). This regional Technical Cooperation Programme Project is also being implemented in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Regional Agricultural Research Station of BARI piloted eco-friendly, integrated farming practices in Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, and Potuakhali. A two-day national capacity-building workshop was held in Barishal for all upazila agriculture officers so that they could share the findings.

Robert D. Simpson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh, and Nur Ahamed Khondaker, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) attended the event. Mr. Simpson said: “The experiences and knowledge that we have gained from this project will strengthen sustainable agriculture for food security and resilient livelihoods in the coastal wetlands and transitional areas of Bangladesh. This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and lessons learnt from the field trials. The next step is to disseminate and encourage the uptake of the best practises among farming communities, through the Department of Agricultural Extension.”

Wahida Akter, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, was chief guest. Dr. Md Ruhul Amin Talukder, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; and Badal Chandra Biswas, Director-General, Department of Agricultural Extension, were special guests at the workshop inauguration. The session was chaired by Dr. Debasish Sarker, Director-General, BARI.