Roles of Partner Institutions
The success of the SACA project—Change in Soil and Water Dynamics and Supporting Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Bangladesh —relies on a robust, multi-institutional partnership that brings together expertise in agronomy, soil science, socioeconomics, water management, gender studies, and agricultural extension. Each partner institution plays a distinct and complementary role in achieving the project’s objectives, from research and field implementation to capacity building and policy engagement.
Role :Policy Linkage and Oversight
BARC provides strategic oversight and ensures alignment with national agricultural policies. Its responsibilities include:
- Coordinating the KGF-funded components of the project.
- Facilitating policy engagement and dissemination of research findings.
- Supporting the integration of CA into national research agendas.
- Providing technical guidance and institutional support.
Dr. Harun-ur-Rashid and Dr. SM Bokhtiar represent BARC in the project, linking research with policy and national priorities.
Dr. Harun-ur-Rashid
Farming Systems
PI for KGF Component
Dr. SM Bokhtiar
Soil Science
Co-PI
Role :Rice Agronomy and Systems Research
BRRI plays a pivotal role in advancing rice-based cropping systems under Conservation Agriculture . Its contributions include:
- Leading research on alternative rice establishment methods such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Non-Puddled Transplanting (NPTR).
- Conducting agronomic trials on rice varieties, sowing times, and weed management.
- Supporting APSIM model calibration with rice-specific data.
- Collaborating on LTEs and field demonstrations at BRRI campuses.
- Contributing to the development of extension materials and training modules.
Dr. Md. Rafiqiul Islam (Director of Research) leads the BRRI component, supported by agronomists, soil scientists, and economists.
Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam
Director of Research
PI
Dr. Md. Khairul Alam Bhuiyan
Agronomy & Weed Management
Co-PI
Dr. Khairul Quais Amina Khatun
Rice Farming Systems
Co-PI
Dr. SM Bokhtiar
Soil Science
Co-PI
Saida Akter Jui
Agricultural Economics
M&E, Co-PI
Role : APSIM Modelling and On-Farm Research
BARI contributes advanced modelling and field research expertise, particularly in non-rice crops and cropping system diversification. Its responsibilities include:
- Leading APSIM modelling to simulate long-term impacts of CA and alternative rice establishment methods.
- Conducting field hydrology studies to assess water balance and recharge under CA.
- Supporting LTEs and on-farm trials in collaboration with other partners.
- Providing technical support for mechanization and irrigation management.
Dr. Apurbo Chaki (On-Farm Research Division) and Dr. Afrin Jahan Mila (Irrigation and Drainage Division) are key contributors from BARI.
Dr. Md. Mazharul Anwar
On-Farm Research
PI
Dr. Afrin Jahan Mila
Irrigation & Drainage
Co-PI
Dr. Apurbo Chaki
APSIM Modelling
Co-PI
Role :Academic and Research Leadership
BAU is a central academic partner, contributing expertise in soil science, agronomy, agricultural economics, water management, and gender studies. BAU’s role includes:
- Hosting and supervising PhD and MS students funded by ACIAR and KGF.
- Leading research on soil health, water balance, greenhouse gas emissions, and acidification under CA.
- Conducting field trials and managing LTEs at the BAU campus.
- Supporting gender and social inclusion research and strategy development.
- Providing training and mentoring for early-career researchers.
Key personnel include Prof. MMR Jahangir (Soil Science), Prof. Hasneen Jahan (Agricultural Economics and Gender), Prof. MA Mojid (Hydrology), and other faculty members.
Prof. Dr. MMR Jahangir
Soil Science
PI & Student Supervision
Prof. Dr. Hasneen Jahan
Agricultural Economics & Gender
PI
Prof. Dr. MA Mojid
Hydrology & Water Management
Co-PI
Dr. Sabina Yeasmin
Agronomy
Co-PI
Dr. Wakilur Rahman
Sociology & Collective Action
Co-PI
Dr. Mahmuda Nasrin
Agricultural Economics
Co-PI
Mst. Shamsia Kowsari
Agricultural Extension
Co-PI
PhD Fellow (TBC)
(TBC)
Socioeconomics
Role :Commissioned Organisation and Lead Research Partner
Murdoch University (MU), Australia, serves as the lead institution and is responsible for the overall coordination, scientific leadership, and project management. MU brings over 35 years of experience in agricultural research for development, including 17 years in Bangladesh. The university’s key responsibilities include:
- Leading the design and implementation of research activities.
- Supervising PhD and MS students in collaboration with Bangladeshi institutions.
- Providing technical expertise in soil science, conservation agriculture (CA), and gender-inclusive research.
- Supporting APSIM modelling and long-term experiment (LTE) analysis.
- Facilitating international knowledge exchange and publication of research findings.
Prof. Richard Bell and Dr. Davina Boyd serve as the project leaders, Dr Md. Enamul Haque as Lead Project Coordinator (Bangladesh) with support from Associate Professor Rochelle Spencer (gender and inclusion) and other researchers.
Prof. Richard W. Bell
Soil Science & Cropping Systems
Project Leader
Dr. Davina Boyd
Socioeconomics & Scaling Research
Project Leader
Dr. Md. Enamul Haque
Agronomy & CA Implementation
Lead Project Coordinator (Bangladesh)
Assoc. Prof. Rochelle Spencer
Gender, Development & Anthropology
PIO Consulting Ltd. (PIOCL)
Role : In-Country Coordination and Implementation
PIOCL is a Bangladeshi organization responsible for in-country coordination, logistics, and field implementation. Its roles include:
- Managing project operations, budgeting, and reporting in Bangladesh.
- Coordinating field trials, LTE maintenance, and data collection.
- Supporting CASPA and local service providers in piloting CA technologies.
- Facilitating communication between partners and stakeholders.
- Hosting project staff and providing administrative support.
Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, an agronomist and CA expert, leads PIOCL’s efforts as the Bangladesh Project Coordinator.
Dr. Md. Enamul Haque
Project Management & CA Implementation
Md. Arifuzzaman
Farm Mechanization
Supervision & Monitoring
Razia Zaman Ela
Data Management and IT Support
Rubina Akter Bina
Office Administration & Accounts
Md. Babul Ali
Transport
Md. Ali Kibriya
Office Support
Supervision & Monitoring
Conservation Agriculture Service Providers Association (CASPA)
Role : Farmer Network and Scaling Platform
CASPA is a grassroots farmer organization with over 224 groups and 40,000 members. It plays a critical role in scaling CA practices and technologies. CASPA’s contributions include:
- Facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning and collective action through the “Samoloy” model.
- Coordinating field demonstrations, training, and extension activities.
- Piloting bundled service provision models for mechanized planting and harvesting.
- Supporting inclusive access to CA knowledge and services, especially for women and youth.
- Collaborating on business model development and organizational sustainability.
CASPA also serves as a platform for piloting innovations in service delivery and community engagement.
Md. Liakot Ali Khan
Farmer Group Coordination
Md. Idrish Ali
CASPA Management
Md. Golam Mostafa
Finance & Admin
Mst. Rezia Begum
Community Development & Gender Engagement
Utpol Toddo
Field Trial Maintenance & Data Collection
Md. Abdul Malek
Field Trial Maintenance & Data Collection
TBC (6 positions)
Roles in business planning, machinery services, farmer engagement, and finance
Role: Co-Funding and Capacity Building
KGF is a key funding partner, supporting research and capacity development. Its contributions include:
- Co-funding three PhD and four MS fellowships for Bangladeshi researchers.
- Supporting institutional strengthening of NARES partners.
- Facilitating collaboration between research institutions and policy bodies.
- Promoting sustainable agricultural innovation through strategic investments.
KGF’s support ensures long-term capacity building and sustainability of CA research in Bangladesh.
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Collaborative Synergy
Together, these institutions form a dynamic and interdisciplinary partnership that integrates research, extension, policy, and community engagement. Their collaboration ensures that the SACA project not only generates scientific knowledge but also translates it into practical, scalable solutions for sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh.