TBM Report ||
A $180 million project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently undergoing government approval to modernize tertiary agricultural education, research, and technical infrastructure across Bangladesh.
Titled the ‘Strengthening Agricultural Tertiary Education Project (SATEP)’, the five-year initiative is scheduled for implementation between 2027 and 2032, according to official discussions held at the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Under the proposed funding breakdown, ADB will provide $105 million, while the Korea Exim Bank’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) will contribute $55 million. The Government of Bangladesh will fund the remaining amount.
The project positions Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) to serve as a regional center of excellence and knowledge hub for South Asia. A specialized instrumentation center will be established at BAU to collect and analyze data regarding climate change, environmental shifts, and crop yields.
The initiative aims to integrate high-end technologies into agricultural academics, expanding the use of remote sensing, drones, digital twins, weather analytics, robotics, and biotechnology. It also focuses on bridging capability gaps among other agricultural universities nationwide.
ADB Senior Social Sector Economist and Mission Leader Ryotaro Hayashi emphasized that the project will link academic research directly with agro-industries. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed noted that cultivating young agro-entrepreneurs through startups and incubation centers remains vital for national food security amid changing climate conditions.
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