At the World Food Prize Foundation – Dialogue Next, during the session on Agriculture Without Borders: The Next South–South Coordination, H.E. Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, offered a compelling perspective on how nations of the Global South must reimagine collaboration in agriculture and technology. Drawing upon five decades of South–South engagement, he urged participants to think beyond conventional approaches and focus on impact-driven outcomes.
Moving Beyond Project-Oriented Approaches
The High Commissioner began by stressing the need to revisit the very way countries from Asia, Africa, and other regions of the Global South engage with one another. “The question before us is: how do we deliver outcomes that are impactful, inclusive, and meaningful for all stakeholders around the table?” he asked.
He argued that countries must “shift gears towards a nexus-based approach” rather than remain locked in a project-centric framework. For Bangladesh, and indeed for many others, this nexus involves nature, water, and farming. Despite being perceived as water-abundant, Bangladesh experiences long dry periods and rising concerns over salinity intrusion in its aquifers. “For nearly seven months of the year, much of Bangladesh experiences dryness, and we are increasingly concerned about the future of water,” he noted.
Technology for Small Farmers
Highlighting the role of technology, Mr. Hamidullah emphasized that innovation must serve not only corporations and governments but also small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of the Global South. “Can we create something like a Technology Bazaar—a platform not only for countries and companies but, most importantly, for small and marginal farmers?” he proposed.
He reminded the audience that nearly 70% of populations in the Global South consist of such farmers, who largely operate in the informal economy. “The challenge is: how do we make technology accessible, beneficial, and adoptable for them? And what role might cooperatives play in this transformation across the Global South?”
Empowering Small and Marginal Farmers
The High Commissioner drew attention to a persistent gap between solutions and their intended beneficiaries. He recalled a Dutch colleague offering technology to combat salinity in southern Bangladesh that could work economically for small farmers. Yet, he observed, “The critical question is: why is such technology not reaching small farmers and farm households who need it most? The need exists. The solutions exist. What we require is the pathway to connect the two.”
He cautioned that while South–South frameworks have historically been shaped around corporate and market interests, they must now focus more directly on the practical needs of end users. “We need a new menu—a framework that is not only attractive and profitable but also impactful and inclusive,” he asserted.
Youth and Innovation: The Future of Agriculture
Turning to the demographic challenge, Mr. Hamidullah pointed out that over half of Bangladesh’s population is under 35. Yet, despite their agricultural roots, most young people are reluctant to return to farming. “The challenge before us is: how do we make farming attractive again?” he asked.
Here, he highlighted the promise of startups and innovation ecosystems that are tackling gaps in farming productivity. From crops to livestock, fisheries, and horticulture, new ventures are emerging with creative solutions. “Horticulture is something quite often overlooked, yet it holds tremendous potential when infused with innovation and technology,” he added.
Technology Without Borders
The High Commissioner reiterated his call for a Technology Bazaar for the Global South, beginning perhaps in South or Southeast Asia and extending to collaborations with the Global North. “Technology, like water, flows freely—it does not respect borders. Even if we fail to recognize it, technology continues to move,” he remarked.
Appropriation and Ownership
In conclusion, he underscored that lasting impact will come not just from distributing tools or machines but from embedding knowledge within farming communities. “It is not only about delivering technologies to farmers and farming communities, but also about embedding knowledge and know-how within them. That is how we ensure real, sustainable impact,” he affirmed.
With this vision, H.E. Hamidullah called upon the Global South to rethink cooperation, ensuring that agriculture without borders translates into inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainability for the millions who depend on it.
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