A youth workshop in Netrokona stressed agroecology, climate justice and food sovereignty, encouraging young people to promote sustainable farming, protect indigenous seeds and strengthen climate-resilient local food systems.
Agroecological farming practices play a crucial role in ensuring food sovereignty while helping communities adapt to climate change, speakers said at a youth workshop held in Netrokona district, a district in the north-central Mymensingh division of Bangladesh, on Tuesday.
The day-long workshop on agroecology, climate justice and food sovereignty took place at the Kailati Agroecology Learning Centre in Netrokona Sadar Upazila. The programme was organized with support from private research and development organization BARCIK and Green Coalition.
Youths and adolescent participants from nine villages, including Chakpara, Darunbali, Fochika, Aurangabad, Chotokailati, Netrokona Sadar and Kailati, joined the workshop.
Speakers emphasized that greater involvement of young people is essential to strengthen environmentally friendly agricultural practices and local food systems at a time when communities are increasingly facing the impacts of climate change.
Among those present were Kailati Union Parishad Chairman Md Nazmul Haque, Agriculture Officer Mirajul Arefin, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Sanjida Hamid, farmer-researcher Golam Mostafa, journalist Miza Hriday Sagar and BARCIK officials Shankar Mrong and Rokhsana Rumi.
Rokhsana Rumi, Programme Officer of BARCIK, delivered the welcome address, while BARCIK Cooperation Coordinator Shankar Mrong led a detailed discussion on measures needed to achieve agroecology, climate justice and food sovereignty.
The workshop covered a range of topics including climate change adaptation, family farming practices, sustainable agricultural systems, the importance of agroecology, food sovereignty and the role of youth in promoting resilient food systems.
Special guest Kailati Union Parishad Chairman Md Nazmul Haque called for stronger engagement of young people in sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation strategies, climate justice initiatives and safe food production. BARCIK Associate Regional Coordinator Shankar Mrong and Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Sanjida Hamid also addressed the gathering.
Participants expressed their commitment to strengthening family-based organic farming, preserving indigenous seeds and promoting traditional cultivation methods alongside Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices.
During the discussion, young participants said farmers and agricultural communities are facing growing challenges due to climate-related disasters. They noted that rural women play a significant role in meeting household food needs through family farming while also supporting others in their communities.
The workshop also featured discussions on shade crops, compost production, safe food cultivation, local seed conservation and the preservation of traditional agricultural knowledge.
