Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)

Dhaka, Bangladesh | 6 May 2026 — Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based social enterprise CottonConnect Limited (CCUK) to strengthen collaboration on regenerative agriculture, sustainable cotton production, research, and capacity building in Bangladesh.

The MoU signing ceremony took place during the “Advancing Regenerative Cotton Agriculture in Bangladesh” Roundtable held at Le Méridien, Dhaka, in the presence of the Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Rafiqul Islam Mohammad, who attended the event as Chief Guest.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Bangladesh Agricultural University by Professor Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor, Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Professor Dr. Ahmed Khairul Hasan, Professor & Head, Department of Agronomy. Alison Ward, Chief Executive Officer of CottonConnect Limited, and Muhammad Abou Bakar, Country Representative – Bangladesh, signed on behalf of CottonConnect Limited.

The collaboration aims to promote regenerative agricultural practices, sustainable and traceable cotton production, soil health restoration, climate-resilient farming systems, biodiversity conservation, farmer capacity building, and research-based innovation in Bangladesh’s cotton sector.

As part of the Roundtable programme, Professor Dr. Ahmed Khairul Hasan participated in the high-level panel discussion titled “Building a Regenerative Agriculture Ecosystem in Bangladesh”, alongside representatives from the Cotton Development Board (CDB), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCAD).

The Roundtable brought together government officials, universities, development organisations, global brands, suppliers, textile industry representatives, research institutions, and sustainability leaders to discuss the future of regenerative and traceable cotton in Bangladesh. Participants explored practical pathways for strengthening sustainable agricultural ecosystems, farmer resilience, responsible sourcing, and climate-smart agricultural innovation.

The closing remarks of the Roundtable were delivered by Professor Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, who highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships among academia, industry, government, and global stakeholders to accelerate regenerative agriculture and sustainable cotton development in Bangladesh.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment between Bangladesh Agricultural University and CottonConnect Limited to advance research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and field-level implementation of regenerative agricultural practices for a more resilient and sustainable future.