Forging a Low-Emission Future for Agriculture: Key Takeaways from the CIMMYT-World Bank Mitigation Marketplace event

By Dr. T. S. Amjath Babu, Senior Agricultural Economist, CIMMYT; Md. Masud Rana, Project Portfolio Coordinator, CIMMYT; and Dipok K. Choudhury, Research Associate, CIMMYT

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Mitigation Marketplace and Workshop, held on September 30, 2025, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, marked a pivotal step in Bangladesh’s journey toward climate-smart agriculture. Jointly organized by the World Bank and CIMMYT Bangladesh, the event convened a diverse group of stakeholders—from policymakers and scientists, multilateral banks to private sector innovators—to chart actionable pathways for reducing emissions in the country’s critical rice and livestock sectors.  Dr. T.S Amjath Babu, Senior Agricultural Economist of CIMMYT and Son Thanh Vo, Senior Agricultural Specialist of The World Bank, were the key organizers of this event. The event was inspired by the “Adaptation Marketplace” event conducted by CIMMYT and partners in 2024 under PARIBARTAN project funded by ACIAR and lead by Dr. Amjath Babu.

The day was structured to foster dialogue, showcase innovation, and build consensus on integrating technology, policy, and social frameworks for a sustainable agricultural future.

Setting the Stage for Action

The event opened with a clear sense of purpose.  Son Thanh Vo of the World Bank’s Agriculture and Food Global Practice set the tone with welcoming remarks, emphasizing the urgency and opportunity in decarbonizing agriculture. This was followed by a keynote presentation from Dr. T.S. Amjath Babu of CIMMYT, who outlined the scientific and practical landscape for mitigation. High-level support was underscored by speeches from Jean Pesme, the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, and Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, highlighting the national commitment to this agenda.

A Marketplace of Ideas and Innovations

A core feature of the event was the vibrant “Mitigation Marketplace,” which enabled participants to engage directly with a diverse range of cutting-edge emission mitigation solutions for crops and livestock. This dynamic marketplace provided a tangible link to the technologies and strategies discussed throughout the day — from IoT devices for methane detection in cattle, fertilizer recommendations, soil carbon measurement, and support for alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technologies, to innovative feed and feed additives for methane reduction, as well as satellite and detection devices-based monitoring, verification methods, and carbon market opportunities.

Deep Dives: Parallel Workshops on Rice and Livestock

The workshop then split into parallel, focused sessions tackling the two main emitting sectors.

• Water-Smart, Low-Emission Rice Production: Moderated by Dr. Salahuddin Ahmad of IRRI, this session delved into the challenges and opportunities of scaling up Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology. Presentations from BRRI, BADC, and IRRI provided evidence of AWD’s emission reduction potential, while partners like Bayer AG and Spacenus GmBH explored satellite-based monitoring and certification—key to unlocking carbon credit revenues. The session concluded with a forward-looking vision for low-carbon rice farming in Bangladesh.
• Optimizing Livestock Feed for Mitigation: Moderated by Dr. Khan Shahidul Huque of the FAO, this track focused on reducing emissions from livestock. Experts from BLRI and PraniSheba Ltd. presented on feed experimentation and IoT-based smart innovations. Companies like DSM-firmenich and eVerse.AI discussed feed additives and the practicalities of building scalable carbon projects for the livestock sector.

Emerging Technologies and Future Pathways

The afternoon workshops continued the deep dives, shifting focus to emerging technologies.

• One session, moderated by Dr. Owen Calvert, explored “Fertilizer-as-a-Service” models. Experts from BRRI, ACI Fertilizer, and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) discussed using drones, machinery, and digital apps that can translate the fertilizer as a service and drastically cut emissions by increasing fertilizer use efficiency.
• The parallel livestock session continued under Dr. Huque, examining new frontiers in emission offsetting and best practices from Denmark. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, InsureCow and BLRI provided emerging technologies, emphasizing a holistic approach to a low-emission future for the livestock sector. T,S Amjath Babu of CIMMYT presented opportunities for digital applications for mitigation in livestock citing integration of mitigation advisories in Agvisely app of CIMMYT,

A Regional Perspective and a National Roadmap

The plenary sessions broadened the scope, connecting Bangladesh’s efforts to regional and global initiatives. Experts from the Asian Development Bank, Temple University and CIMMYT shared valuable lessons from Nepal and Sri Lanka, while presentations on agrivoltaics (combining solar energy and crop production), biochar, and biogas highlighted synergistic technologies with significant mitigation potential.

A critical session moderated by Samina Yasmin of the World Bank focused on building Bangladesh’s mitigation roadmap. Discussions centered on carbon certification and trade—essential mechanisms for incentivizing and monetizing emission reductions—with insights from the World Bank, the Department of Environment, and carbon finance experts.

A Collaborative Way Forward

The workshop concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration. Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman (Routine Charge) of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and votes of thanks from Owen Calvert of CIMMYT and Son Thanh Vo of the World Bank.

This is a milestone towards a low-emission future for Bangladeshi agriculture. By aligning innovative technologies, supportive policies, and market-based incentives, the country can enhance its food security, support its farmers, and make a significant contribution to the global fight against climate change. This workshop has laid a robust foundation for the coordinated action needed to turn this vision into reality.