Agrilife24.com, Dhaka: A day-long seminar titled “Journalist Orientation Workshop on Pesticide Risk Reduction” was held on 09 September 2025 at the BARC Auditorium 1, BARC Complex, Farmgate, Dhaka. The event was organized by the Plant Protection Wing (PPW) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with CABI PlantwisePlus, Bangladesh.
The workshop, which commenced at 10:30 am, aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of journalists, with a special focus on the role of the media in raising awareness about the risks of pesticide use in crops and the need for responsible communication.
The inaugural session was graced by distinguished guests and speakers. Md. Saiful Alam, Director General of DAE, attended the program as the Chief Guest, while Md. Obaidur Rahman Mondol, Director, Field Service Wing, DAE, joined as Special Guest. Dr. Mohammad Enayet E Rabbi, Additional Director (Pest Management, Surveillance and Forecasting), PPW, DAE, addressed the participants as the Guest of Honor. The session was presided over by Dr. Md. Abdul Muyeed, Former Director General of DAE.
The program began with a welcome speech by Azmat Abbas, Development Communication Manager (Asia), CABI, who also outlined the workshop objectives.
Throughout the day, experts delivered insightful presentations on various aspects of pesticide risk reduction. Dr. Saleh Ahmed, CABI Country Representative in Bangladesh, introduced CAB International, while Dr. Dilruba Sharim, CABI Project Coordinator in Bangladesh, presented the “PRR Situation Analysis – Bangladesh”. Abdul Rehman, Deputy Director, Projects Implementation and Research, CABI, highlighted the growing threat of invasive species. Later, Azmat Abbas led a session on the “Role of Media in Awareness Raising on Pesticide Risks” and emphasized the importance of establishing an Agri-Journalist Forum in Bangladesh.
The seminar provided journalists with an in-depth understanding of the challenges and risks associated with pesticide use, particularly in fruit crops, and underscored the crucial responsibility of media professionals in disseminating accurate and impactful information for farmers and the general public.
