Enhancing Diversity in Bangladesh’s Agricultural Sector through Facilitative Leadership
Participants in the Policy LINK-led leadership training series.
As the backbone of Bangladesh's economy, the agriculture sector employs more than 45 percent of the population, according to a 2022 government labor survey, and, as of FY 2021-22, contributes approximately $52.9 billion to the country’s GDP. The complex system that sustains this vital sector relies on leaders who represent the diverse socio-demographic attributes of the country and ensure that the insights of a wide range of system actors—from farmers to processors to retailers—are reflected throughout agricultural policy processes.
Bangladesh’s agriculture sector employs more than 45 percent of the country’s population and contributes approximately $52.9 billion to the country’s GDP.
That said, encouraging diversity in policy discourses has not been the prevalent norm for a long time in Bangladesh. To address this challenge, Policy LINK’s team in Bangladesh, known as the Feed the Future Bangladesh Policy LINK Agricultural Policy Activity—or Policy Activity—recently kicked off a training series centered around the concept of “facilitative leadership” and including groups of current and upcoming leaders from the public and private sectors. This brand of leadership encourages a growth mindset, fosters a culture of learning, promotes inclusive collaboration, and prioritizes the growth of potential leaders.
Held from May through September 2023, the capacity-building sessions welcomed participants from agencies and departments under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as well as members (primarily private seed dealers and entrepreneurs) of the Bangladesh Seed Association (BSA) operating at both national and regional levels. The trainings may expand to other agricultural sectors in the near future.
“Leadership within the [agricultural] sector is not limited to political figures or high-ranking officials, said Md. Hashem Ali Akash, Senior Policy Manager of Policy LINK’s Bangladesh team. “It encompasses a wide range of actors, including private business owners, government officers, regulators, and researchers. These individuals, collectively, are the driving force behind the transformation and progress of Bangladesh's seed sector and a reason for the Policy Activity to be deliberate in the participant selection process.”
A Targeted Approach
One aspect of this deliberate approach was to develop an ideal candidate profile and seek nominations from Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Directors General of the various MoA agencies. To design and conduct the training course, the Policy Activity sought the help of an expert consultant. Before embarking on the design, a rapid needs assessment was carried out to gain insights from target stakeholders through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The objective was simple: to consult with these stakeholders and draw from their wealth of experience, particularly on the perceived role of a leader and a manager.
The majority of the respondents felt that "leadership and management are like the two hands of the same person." This perspective underscored a common understanding that leadership and management, though distinct, often intertwine and complement one another. Leadership, as perceived by them, was about vision, motivation, and the art of influence. A leader should inspire and engage others, setting clear goals, and communicating them effectively. Everyone, regardless of their position, had the potential to be a leader. Conversely, management was a more structured and formal endeavor. Managers were entrusted with the day-to-day operations, ensuring tasks were completed efficiently and within budget. The concept of emotional intelligence was also brought into the discussion. Though not all were familiar with the term, they recognized the importance of understanding and controlling one's emotions. It was seen as crucial for effective leadership and management.
Taking all the insights from the rapid needs assessment into account, the Policy Activity and consultant designed a curriculum to bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping participants with the tools needed to navigate the dynamic and challenging landscape of Bangladesh's agriculture and food system. The training course, spanning two days for each stakeholder group, reached 280 participants, with 133 representing government and 147 from BSA.
High-Level Participation
To emphasize the importance of the proceedings among the participants from both sides, senior leadership figures from government agencies (such as the Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation) and the private sector (such as the President of BSA, who is also the Chairman of ACI Group, one of the largest private seed companies in the country) were invited to participate in the trainings.
The course was tailored to adult learners, drawing upon experiential learning theories and learning models that emphasize human cognition (i.e. thinking, learning, and understanding). Based on initial feedback from the participants, most reflected positively on the content and delivery method and were positive about internalizing and practicing their newfound knowledge. “One of the major takeaways for me from this training was understanding the importance of fostering characteristics like empathy to become a better leader,” reflected Habibun Nesa, an Upazila Agriculture Officer for the Department of Agricultural Extension operating out of Bandarban.
The leadership training series is helping the Policy Activity increase its outreach to maximize ownership of the agriculture policy process. The series will also contribute to Policy LINK’s flagship Global Leadership Development Program, which has offered similar training in Ethiopia and Ghana.
Next Steps
This leadership training series, while addressing broad themes, has set the foundation for the Policy Activity to evolve its current curriculum and introduce locally contextualized sessions that address institutional or sector-specific capacity-building needs. Through the updated curriculum, the Policy Activity intends to maximize takeaways as well as ownership and applicability of the lessons for future batches of participants. Instead of being a one-off endeavor, the next iteration of the leadership training series will also establish a continuity of further growth for highly motivated participants by offering them the chance to enroll in Policy LINK’s Global Leadership Development Program.
Resources
Learn more about the Bangladesh Seed Association