With substantial advancements, agricultural research has been a significant driver of food and nutritional security in Bangladesh.

Starting as a government department, agricultural research later evolved into autonomous institutes for further development with higher incentives.

Over time, the public agricultural research system has been hindered by inappropriate service structures, which negatively affect agricultural production.

The erosion of merit is evident as research staff continue to leave the system.

Fixing this gap is crucial for the national interest in making research more productive and accountable.

Climate change, natural resource degradation, and increasing food demand persist in this intensely cultivated country.

The growing dependence on agro-commodity imports also poses economic pressure.

The study reviews rice-based research systems in Asian countries to identify best practices.

It uses secondary data sources and reports and is presented in summary. Given the dynamics of agricultural research management, the study presents comparisons that could be adapted.

Bangladesh has a National Agricultural Research System (NARS), including 12 public research institutes coordinated by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).

The system is complex and uneven, spread over five ministries; some are autonomous, while others are government departments.

NARS is governed by a Governing Board (GB), which is considered very powerful; however, important decisions often remain pending due to a lack of follow-up and final approval.

The Krishi Goveshona Foundation (KGF) was established in 2007 as an independent body under the Company Act with the support of the World Bank, located at the BARC complex at Farmgate.

It is considered an institutional innovation that aims to support public, private, and NGO research and other programs that enhance research capacity and create an enabling environment.

However, due to a lack of democratic culture and elite capture, its full potential has not been realized. Recently, the foundation has been harvesting "low-hanging fruit" by providing grants, while ignoring other vital objectives.

Asian nations have made institutional improvements in response to their countries' demands.

These systems comprise four models: council, department, academy, and mixed. The services of the institutes across these models are unified for better management—except in Bangladesh.

Pakistan, India, and the Philippines have adopted the council or mixed model and incentive structures, making services remunerative, including in China.

Management positions in India, Pakistan, and Nepal are held on fixed terms and filled through a search committee.

Key findings include:

India: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) operates as a society uniquely linked to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), coordinating over 70 research institutes, several directorates, centers, and universities. Robust recruitment by an independent authority and career advancement for deserving scientists have been institutionalized. ICAR and DARE belong to the Ministry of Agriculture. The position of Director General of ICAR is simultaneously the Secretary of the Government (DARE). ICAR has introduced several innovations, including Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)—a platform for farmers—alongside state agricultural universities spread across the country. All-India coordinated research programs are in operation, involving universities and relevant institutions.

Pakistan: Two streams are in operation—the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) at the federal level under the Ministry of Food Security and Research, and the provincial government-run Department of Agriculture. Institutes under both streams have unified services, and scientists enjoy additional service benefits, including commercialization. The Agriculture Policy Institute (API) and the Agricultural Linkage Program (ALP) were developed to foster agro-industrial linkages. The Agrotech Company (PATCO) integrates research and commercialization under the PARC system.

Sri Lanka: The Department of Agriculture (DoA), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, integrates research and extension under one authority, enhancing coordination and technology dissemination. Tea, rubber, coconut, sugarcane, and veterinary services fall under other ministries.

Nepal: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, operates institutes headed by an Executive Director. The Director supervises and administers the institutions, including the approval of foreign professional training and visits.

Indonesia: In 2022, research institutions were integrated into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), consolidating all research activities under a single national entity reporting directly to the country's president. The previous system under the Ministry of Agriculture now has limited functions.

Thailand: The Department of Agriculture (DoA) operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, spending the highest amount on agricultural research among the countries reviewed. The Agricultural Research and Development Agency (ARDA) coordinates international collaboration, resource allocation, and monitoring. In 2009, a separate rice department was established. The Thailand Research Fund (TRF), established in 1992, supports research and HRD. The Thailand Agricultural Research Repository digital platform is used to develop and integrate a database of agricultural research.

Philippines: The agricultural research system is complex, involving the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Agriculture (DA). The DA has several institutes that undertake research through the Bureau of Agriculture Research (BAR). The Center for Postharvest and Mechanization (PHilMech) is among many other centers. The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), under DOST, operates consortia that link regional research establishments, including universities. The Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, established in 2000, is mandated to support technology commercialization and research facilities. The Magna Carta Act has facilitated incentives for science professionals, including higher studies.

China: The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is a comprehensive national agricultural research institution affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). CAAS oversees extensive research networks and fosters collaboration between public and private institutions to drive agricultural innovation. It has developed a set of policies to support outstanding agricultural talents both at home and abroad.

Bangladesh should adopt reforms inspired by best practices in Asian countries to enhance efficiency:

Strengthen institutions by establishing a unified NARS governance framework and enhancing BARC's role in research policy formulation and implementation.

Implement career advancement systems and introduce performance-based incentives to retain merit.

An independent authority should centrally recruit NARS scientists. Senior leadership positions should be filled on a tenure basis through a search committee.

Institutionalize international collaborations to leverage global development.

Establish new institutes focused on post-harvest management, horticulture, mechanization, policy, IPR, and technology commercialization.

Review the reversal of autonomous institutions to government departments.

KGF should address its core objectives of strengthening research capacity and building a global network. For better management, KGF should be located independently.

Bangladesh lacks experts in research system management. Leadership should be developed to address this gap.

The writer is a former executive chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.