Rice is central to Bangladesh’s food security, providing over 70% of the national calorie intake and supporting the livelihoods of more than 13 million farming households. Yet, rice production is increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Drought, salinity, submergence, heat stress, and unpredictable rainfall, combined with rising labor and irrigation costs, are putting severe pressure on traditional puddled transplanted rice (PTR) systems. These challenges are making conventional practices less economically viable and environmentally unsustainable.

While innovative solutions exist to address these stresses, adoption among farmers has been limited. Barriers include weak connections between research and extension services, insufficient training for frontline extension workers, fragmented input supply chains, and a lack of localized data to guide decision-making. As a result, many farmers are unable to access or apply technologies that could enhance productivity and resilience.

To bridge these gaps, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has partnered with the Government of Bangladesh, NARES institutions, and development partners to advance Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations through technical assistance. The project promotes climate-resilient and biofortified rice varieties, Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR), Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), efficient nutrient management, mechanization, and digital tools. By combining participatory research with decentralized extension and a structured Training of Trainers (ToT) program across 15 districts, the initiative aims to ensure that these solutions reach farmers effectively, strengthening resilience and sustainability in Bangladesh’s rice sector.