Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB) is a comprehensive communications initiative to help improve awareness about modern agricultural innovations in Bangladesh. FFB aims to share evidence-based information about the social, economic and environmental benefits of modern agricultural innovations. This includes championing the use of biotechnology to breed improved crops, especially those that can boost the nutritional content of staple foods, such as rice enriched with vitamins and minerals. FFB is based on the premise that agricultural innovations are key if Bangladesh is to feed its 160 million people and give farmers and consumers access to safer, healthier and more nutritious food.
The FFB initiative is effectively engaging key stakeholders and a community of advocates who are working to promote access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environmental sustainability and raising the quality of life. Activities include: initiating a skill development program for scientists, agriculture extension officials, faith based-groups and media professionals; implementing a competitive media fellowship and a national media awards program; a youth engagement and skill development program for public universities in Bangladesh; communication and outreach for farmers, consumers, medical and nutrition professionals; and maintaining an informative website and engaging mass people through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
Farming Future Bangladesh CEO Arif Hossain
Based in Dhaka, Farming Future Bangladesh operates under the auspices of the Alliance for Science and is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative is led by Md. Arif Hossain, a 2015 Global Leadership Fellow. As CEO and executive director, Hossain leads the FBB project in close collaboration with the Alliance for Science.