The Conclave is a high-level event set to take place on May 25, 2025, at Amari Dhaka. Jointly organized by the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh (SAF Bangladesh) and LightCastle Partners, the event will bring together national and international stakeholders to foster innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth in agriculture and agro-processing. The conclave is designed to serve as a catalyst for transformative action in Bangladesh’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors.
Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian is the Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh. With a distinguished career in public service, he has held several high-level administrative positions, including serving as Member (Secretary) of the Planning Commission prior to his current role. Dr. Mian is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing institutional reforms and promoting digital governance within the agriculture sector. His efforts have played a pivotal role in strengthening policy frameworks focused on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development. As Secretary, he has championed innovation-driven, farmer-centric initiatives that are modernizing Bangladesh’s agricultural landscape.
Dr. M.A. Sattar Mandal is an eminent agricultural economist, served as the Emeritus Professor & Former Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). With over four decades of experience in teaching, research, and policy planning, he has significantly contributed to Bangladesh's agricultural development. Dr. Mandal served as Vice-Chancellor of BAU and was a member of the Bangladesh Planning Commission. He has published extensively and played key roles in shaping national policies, including the National Agriculture Policy (1999) and the Agricultural Mechanization Policy (2019).
Sharawwat Islam is the Managing Director of Truvalu Bangladesh, a Dutch impact investment firm, where she has led operations since 2018. With over 20 years of experience in investment banking, impact investing, and blended finance, she drives Truvalu’s mission to support SMEs through capital access, technical assistance, and sustainable business development. Her expertise spans deal sourcing, investment readiness, due diligence, and impact measurement. Sharawwat also serves on the boards of Truvalu’s investee companies and leads strategic partnerships and consultancy programs focused on climate finance and gender lens investing. Previously, she held leadership roles in investment banking, managing complex transactions in equity, debt, and M&A. She is a founding board member of the Bangladesh Women Investors Network (BWIN)
Mr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman is the Associate Research Director at the Ministry of Food, Government of Bangladesh. With over 18 years of experience in agricultural economics and food policy, he has been instrumental in shaping research and monitoring initiatives tied to national food and nutrition strategies. Mr. Rahman joined public service in 2006 through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission and has since played a key role in policy evaluation and capacity building within the Ministry. He holds postgraduate degrees in Agricultural Marketing and Agricultural Development Policy from Bangladesh Agricultural University and Universiti Putra Malaysia, respectively. His research includes studies on chickpea productivity and broiler farming profitability in Bangladesh. Mr. Rahman has received extensive training both locally and internationally, including programs in the Netherlands, South Korea, and the UK, covering food safety, nutrition policy, and monitoring and evaluation. With expertise in SPSS, Stata, and Microsoft Office tools, he continues to contribute to evidence-based policymaking in Bangladesh’s food and agriculture sectors.
Lincoln is the Founder of Intelligence Wise (iWise), with extensive international data management experience and active involvement in the Singapore Government’s intergovernmental cooperation projects since 2016. He is the Managing Director of ZERO13, a climate-tech firm that developed a blockchain-based carbon credit ecosystem infrastructure. ZERO13 received the TechSprint Award (Blockchain) from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates at the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, in 2023. Lincoln is currently working on multiple decarbonization projects involving sovereign bilateral agreements under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (COP21) for Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs).
"A T M Mostafa Kamal currently serves as the Secretary of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC), the apex body representing six key poultry sector associations in Bangladesh, including the Feed Industries Association of Bangladesh. In this role, he plays a vital part in shaping policies and strategies to support the sustainable growth of the country's poultry industry. Before joining BPICC, Mr. Kamal had a distinguished 32-year career in the Government of Bangladesh. He spent 14 years in district and sub-district level administration, where he was responsible for local governance and development initiatives, working closely with agencies such as the Department of Livestock and the Department of Fisheries. He later served 18 years in various central government ministries, including the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Land, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, contributing to national policy development and administrative reforms."
Dr. Razu Ahmed is the Component Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project under the Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh, funded by IFAD. A horticulture and nutrition professional with over 16 years of experience, he previously served as Country Coordinator for the World Vegetable Center (formerly AVRDC). Dr. Ahmed has strong expertise in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for fruits and vegetables, postharvest management, value chain development—including export market linkages—agro-processing, and contract farming. He has held key roles in horticulture and postharvest development projects, focusing on reducing postharvest losses and ensuring food safety. Dr. Ahmed has led sustainable development interventions, built public-private partnerships, and strengthened the capacity of farmer associations and service providers to promote entrepreneurship and competitiveness.
Mohammed Monsur serves as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables & Allied Products Exporters Association, playing a pivotal role in advancing the country’s agri-export sector. With a longstanding footprint in agribusiness and agri-exports, he is the Managing Director of Monsur General Trading Co. Ltd., where he has built a robust export business specializing in fresh produce, with a strong presence in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. He has also made significant contributions to the development of the agri-export sector in Bangladesh. Mohammed Monsur is a General Body Member of FBCCI, a Board Director of Hortex Foundation (DAE), and is actively engaged with various national trade and policy forums supporting export-led growth.
Dr. Kashfia Ahmed is the CEO of WIN Incorporate, with over 15 years of experience in the agricultural sector. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Bangladesh Agricultural University, and earned her Ph.D. from the Tokyo University of Science and Technology in 2003, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at JIRCAS in 2005. Dr. Kashfia began her career as a Scientific Officer at BFRI and later pioneered ICT-based agricultural information systems as a Rural ICT Consultant with Swisscontact/Katalyst. She founded WIN Incorporate and chaired WinMiaki Ltd., whose award-winning mobile agro-information service empowered farmers nationwide.
Mr. Ataus Sopan Malik is the Managing Director of AR Malik Seeds Pvt. Ltd., one of the most prominent agricultural enterprises in Bangladesh. Under his leadership, the company has advanced the production and distribution of climate-resilient, high-yielding vegetable and potato seeds across all 64 districts. In 2022, he was honored as an Agricultural Important Person (AIP) by the Government of Bangladesh for his contributions to agricultural innovation and technology. His commitment to sustainable farming was further recognized in 2023 when AR Malik Farms, a sister concern, became the first Bangladeshi firm to receive Global G.A.P certification for multiple crops.
Zahedul Amin is a seasoned consultant and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience across private sector development, research, and impact-driven consulting. As Co-founder of LightCastle Partners, he has led 150+ projects across 15+ sectors for global development agencies, private firms, and government entities. With expertise in market systems, financial inclusion, and sustainability, Zahedul blends data-driven strategy with inclusive growth. He is an Acumen Fellow and an alum of IVLP and SUNY’s social entrepreneurship program.
Abdur Rouf is a development practitioner with over 13 years of experience in agriculture and social science, currently serving as Director of Program Development at SAF Bangladesh. He has led 25+ projects and 40+ research initiatives across Asia and Africa, securing significant donor funding and impact. Rouf’s work spans climate resilience, carbon credit initiatives, and smallholder adaptation. He is a GCA-trained Green Climate Fund proposal writer and a gender-lens investment fellow under AVPN, recognized for his strategic and high-impact approach.
Farhad Zamil is the founding Executive Director of SAF Bangladesh with over 24 years of leadership experience in agriculture, food systems, and private sector development. He has worked with organizations like BRAC, CARE, FAO, and the UN, previously serving as the first Country Director of SFSA Bangladesh. Farhad holds advanced degrees in horticulture, business, and international relations, and was honored with a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is recognized for driving sustainable development and innovation in agricultural transformation.
Mr. Ahmad Asif is the CEO of Bengal Meat Processing Industries Ltd., a leading Bangladeshi company specializing in halal meat production. He is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic management, FMCG, and food processing. Under his strategic guidance, Bengal Meat has gained recognition for its commitment to quality and safety, offering a wide range of fresh and processed meats. Asif's strategic focus on quality control, supply chain innovation, and farmer partnerships has positioned Bengal Meat as a trusted brand. The company exports to several countries, including the UAE, Kuwait, and Malaysia, and maintains a strong presence in Bangladesh's retail and hospitality sectors.
Md Mahmudur Rahman is the Co-Founder and CEO of WeGro, an agri-fintech startup in Bangladesh. Established in April 2021, WeGro connects smallholder farmers with urban investors through a Shariah-compliant platform, offering input financing, expert guidance, and market access. Under Rahman's leadership, WeGro has expanded its operations to over 28 zones, supporting more than 5,000 farmers and managing a portfolio exceeding BDT 40 crore. Recognized for its innovative approach, WeGro was selected as one of the top eight startups in the Youth Co:Lab Springboard Programme in 2022.
Explore sessions with industry leaders, policy thinkers, entrepreneurial dialogues & curated showcases
The Bangladesh Agro Conclave 2025 will commence with a high-level session featuring leading policymakers and experts. It will set the stage for a day of insightful dialogue and knowledge exchange, focusing on the role of innovation, sustainability, and collaborative action in advancing Bangladesh’s agri-food systems.
This panel will explore strategies to strengthen global export markets by identifying opportunities for collaboration among agri-businesses,
exporters, and smallholder farmers. Discussions will focus on creating inclusive value chains, building export readiness through capacity development, addressing certification and logistics barriers, and showcasing successful models.
This panel will highlight strategies to empower women and youth in agri-food value chains through innovative financing, partnerships, and capacity-building programs. Discussions will include tailored financial products, collaborations between governments, NGOs, and private sectors, and ways to enhance market access for women- and youth-led agri businesses
The session will feature innovators and entrepreneurs reshaping agriculture in Bangladesh with emerging technologies, transformative products, and forward-looking business models. It will offer insights into high-impact solutions poised to drive the next wave of growth across agricultural value chains.
This panel will address challenges in food safety, traceability, and cold chain management in protein and dairy production. Discussions will focus on food safety policies, infrastructure & capacity development needs & opportunities to leverage emerging technologies such as IoT,
blockchain, and AI. The panelists will also discuss ideas on facilitating public-private partnerships to ensure compliance with global standards and reduce post-production losses.
He is a visionary entrepreneur and strategic leader with over a decade of international experience across Bangladesh and Australia. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Agronochain, he is driving innovation at the intersection of agriculture, finance and technology—empowering more than 20,000 farmers and transforming agri-supply chains in Bangladesh. With an academic background in Business Administration, Finance (CFA Level II) and Supply Chain Management (CSCA), he has led high-growth teams and delivered measurable business impact. At a leading marketing agency in Bangladesh, he spearheaded a 4.5x business growth within just 18 months. He has also played a key role in advising, fundraising and mentoring for numerous startups across the country. His industry insight, global exposure and strong network continue to fuel Agronochain’s mission to build an inclusive, data-driven and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in South Asia.
Shamim Murad is the Chief Executive Officer of Cultive8 Technologies Limited, where he leads a multidisciplinary team developing digital solutions for growers, producers, plantation companies, and Agri-input providers. His mission is to enhance efficiency and unlock potential in food production through innovation and system integration. With over 20 years of experience across Agri-inputs, FMCG, data, and telecommunications, Shamim combines strategic insight with hands-on expertise. His clients include leading plantation companies in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. He focuses on practical, scalable solutions that strengthen the food value chain and empower underserved communities. Shamim welcomes collaboration to leverage technology for improving farm productivity, sustainability, and rural economic growth.
Tasvir Ahmad Faheem is the Co-founder and CEO of InsureCow Ltd., a fast-growing agri-insurtech company helping smallholder farmers access financial services through innovative technology. He founded InsureCow to address a major gap in rural economies: integrating livestock into the formal financial system. The company’s core innovation, AI-powered Muzzle Printometry, creates tamper-proof digital identities for cattle, making them verifiable, finance-ready assets. This enables access to micro-loans, insurance, and farm management tools for previously excluded farmers. InsureCow has supported thousands of farmers and earned global recognition, including Insurtech Disruptor Champion at Gitex Supernova 2023 and MENA Insurtech Championship Winner 2024.
Prof. Dr. Md. Zaved Hossain Khan is a distinguished academic and innovator in the field of chemical engineering, currently serving as a Professor and Chairman at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Bangladesh. He earned his Doctor of Engineering from Waseda University, Japan, and holds master's degrees from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, and Islamic University, Bangladesh. Dr. Khan is renowned for his pioneering work in nanotechnology, particularly in the development of Nano-Urea and Hybrid Nano Fertilizer—groundbreaking nano-fertilizers. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce Bangladesh’s dependency on urea imports and promote environmentally friendly farming practices. In 2013, Dr. Khan established the first nano research laboratory in Bangladesh, named Nano-Bio and Advanced Materials Engineering (NAME), an ISO-certified laboratory. His research focuses on nano-materials, green chemistry, and advanced fertilizer technologies. His contributions have led to multiple patents in nano innovations. Dr. Khan's academic excellence is reflected in his impressive scholarly metrics. According to Google Scholar, he has an h-index of 39 and a total of 5,600 citations, ranking him as one of the top scientists in Bangladesh and placing him within the top 2% globally in his field over the past few years. In recognition of his contributions to science and innovation, Dr. Khan has received several national gold medals, including the University Grants Commission Gold Medal (2018 and 2019) and the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences Gold Medal (2021). He continues to mentor emerging researchers and collaborates internationally to advance the frontiers of chemical engineering and sustainable agriculture.
A collaborative effort to foster sustainable growth across Bangladesh’s agriculture landscape.
Check Who Makes This Event Possible! to significant support from its Board of Trustees, receives contributions.
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit”
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit"
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit”
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit”
A visual snapshot of the people, ideas, and moments that shaped Agro Conclave 2025
Date: 25 May 2025
Time: 09:15 AM – 06:00 PM
Location: Amari Dhaka, Gulshan 2
Hall: Eden Grand Ballroom
Abdur Rouf
Director, Program Development
Sustainable Agriculture Foundation
Contact: +88 0174 8904 373
Email: abdur.rouf@susagfoundation.org
Shubham Roy
Senior Business Consultant
LightCastle Partners
Email: shubham.roy@lightcastlepartners.com
Contact: +8801792325127