AARDO, 2, State Guest Houses Complex Chanakyapuri, New Delhi (2026)

The formation of African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) [earlier known as Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization] in 1962 underscored the far-sightedness of the social and political leaders of Asia and Africa. The formation of African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) [earlier known as Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization] in 1962 underscored the far-sightedness of

the social and political leaders of Asia and Africa in recognising the need for cooperation among the countries in the field of agriculture and rural development. AARDO which is one of the earliest examples of South-South cooperation in rural development in the Afro-Asian region, is an autonomous inter-governmental Organization comprising country governments of Africa and Asia. The Organization was set up with a view to promote coordinated efforts, exchange of experiences and cooperative action for furthering the objectives of development of the rural areas. AARDO a non-political body enjoys observer status with various UN and other international organisations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), etc. HISTORY

The majority of the African and Asian countries, after the end of Second World War, and during the 1950s demanded enormous tasks for development. This brought forward the need of these countries to come together, exchange experiences and ensure mutual help. Two leaders of their time, Dr Punjabrao S. Deshmukh, the then India's Union Minister of Agriculture and Dr Hiroshi Nasu, at one time Ambassador of Japan to India, conceived the idea to establish a forum for the Asian countries to jointly discuss their many common problems. As a follow up of these discussions, the first East Asian Rural Reconstruction Conference was held in Tokyo in August 1955 in which twelve countries, namely, Cambodia, R O China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated. Representatives of FAO, International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), ICA and the Asian Foundation also attended the Conference. Discussion on the more important agricultural and rural problems was the main aim of the Conference. Another important objective was to develop a wider vision in the spirit of international cooperation among the farmers of Asia. The success of the Tokyo Conference motivated the participants to meet again in about two years' time. In 1960, Dr Hiroshi Nasu had a discussion with Dr Punjabrao S. He proposed for another meeting during the beginning of 1961. The result was the convening of Afro-Asian Conference on Rural Reconstruction. The first Afro-Asian Conference on Rural Reconstruction held its historic Session in New Delhi during 18-25 January 1961. The Conference was inaugurated by H E Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of the Republic of India. Twenty-three nations of Africa and Asia and five international organisations participated in the Conference. The participating countries and organisations were: Afghanistan, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, FAO, IFAP, ICA, UNESCO and the Technical Cooperation Mission. The most important proposal that emanated from the deliberation of this Conference was to form an "African-Asian Rural Reconstruction Organization" which could provide continuity for such meetings. The Conference constituted an Executive Committee, with Dr Deshmukh as President to prepare draft of the Constitution of the Organization for consideration at its next session. The Conference also appointed an ad hoc Secretariat. The Executive Committee met in Tehran during 8-9 May 1961 at the invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Iran to discuss the draft of the Constitution prepared by the Secretariat. The draft Constitution after due discussion was presented before the Second Session of the "African-Asian Conference on Rural Reconstruction" held in Cairo during 19-31 March 1962. The Conference was inaugurated by H.E. Mr Kamal El-Din Hussain, the then Vice-President of Arab Republic of Egypt. It was in this Conference that the President of the Conference received a notice of acceptance of the Constitution from Egypt, India, Japan, Libya and Malaysia declaring that the Constitution of AARDO comes into force with effect from 31st March 1962. Thus was born Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization, initially with five (5) members and its headquarters provisionally located at New Delhi. An Executive Committee was elected by the Conference comprising Egypt (President), Malaysia and Sudan (both Vice-Presidents) and India (outgoing President), Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Philippines, Tanzania, as members. Although there were many claimants in favour of locating the headquarters of AARDO in their countries, it was decided that permanent headquarters of AARDO be located in New Delhi. On 5th March 1966, a formal agreement between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and the Secretary General, AARDO was signed. To coincide with the event, 'AARDO Day' is thus celebrated on 5th March every year.

24/02/2026

International Online Training Programme on Advances and Challenges in Global Sustainable Agriculture
19- 22 January 2026
The African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with Harper Adams University (HAU), United Kingdom, successfully organized a four-day International Online Training Programme on “Advances and Challenges in Global Sustainable Agriculture.” The programme emphasized the urgent need to transform agricultural and food systems in response to climate change, environmental degradation, resource constraints, and global food and nutrition security challenges. It provided a valuable international platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and science-based solutions aimed at building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural systems.

The programme received an overwhelming response, 236 delegates from twenty-eight (28) AARDO Member Countries registered for participation, namely Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Zambia, along with participants from four (04) prospective AARDO Member Countries, namely Togo, Tanzania, Seychelles, and South Africa. The wide geographical representation reflects the strong global interest in sustainable agriculture and cross-regional learning.

The inaugural session commenced with an introduction by Prof. Mitch Crook, Programme Coordinator, Harper Adams University. This was followed by a welcome address delivered by Ken Sloan, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Harper Adams University. Professor Sloan emphasized the University’s commitment to global engagement in agricultural education, applied research, and innovation, and highlighted the importance of international partnerships in addressing contemporary and emerging agricultural challenges.

The session was equally addressed by H.E Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO. Who underscored the growing pressures on global agriculture and food systems arising from climate change, resource scarcity, population growth, and nutritional inequalities. He emphasized the need to transform food systems to be both people-positive and planet-positive, and called for collective action to scale up research-driven and proven solutions to sustain farmers’ livelihoods, expand consumer choices, and restore ecological balance.

The four days technical sessions of the programme offered comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the major dimensions of global sustainable agriculture, with a strong emphasis on practical, science-based, and field-oriented solutions. The sessions examined the effective implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a key strategy to reduce dependence on chemical inputs while maintaining crop productivity and ecological balance. Significant focus was placed on soil health and regenerative agricultural approaches, highlighting the importance of soil biodiversity, organic matter management, and conservation practices in enhancing long-term farm sustainability and resilience to climate stress.

The role of ruminants and sustainable grazing systems was discussed in detail, emphasizing the need to balance environmental sustainability with the nutritional, economic, and livelihood benefits of livestock-based farming systems. In addition, the sessions showcased recent technological advances in sustainable agriculture, including precision agriculture, digital tools, and innovative farming technologies aimed at improving productivity, resource-use efficiency, and climate resilience. Through expert presentations, case studies, and interactive discussions, participants gained practical insights and scalable solutions applicable across diverse agro-ecological conditions in AARDO Member Countries.

The Valedictory Session, held on 22 January 2026, marked the successful conclusion of the programme. During the session, Mitch Crook, Programme Coordinator, Harper Adams University, presented a comprehensive summary of the programme, highlighting key thematic discussions, learning outcomes, and the rich exchange of experiences among participants.

Subsequently, Mr. Kamal Dhameja, Head, CB&DP Division, African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), delivered the valedictory remarks. He expressed On behalf of AARDO, sincere appreciation to Harper Adams University for its excellent academic collaboration, institutional support, and expert contributions. He particularly extended his thanks to Prof. Mitch Crook and Prof. Edmore for their valuable academic inputs, professional guidance, and dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the programme.

He also extended heartfelt thanks to all participants for their active engagement and meaningful contributions throughout the training programme. He expressed special appreciation for Mohsin Ali, Technical Officer, CB&DP Division, AARDO, for his excellent coordination. He further reaffirmed that AARDO and Harper Adams University would continue to work closely to explore concrete collaborative initiatives, including joint capacity-building, training, and knowledge-sharing programmes, for the benefit of AARDO Member Countries.

The training programme was highly appreciated by participants for its relevance, quality of deliberations, and practical orientation. The successful collaboration between AARDO and Harper Adams University reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening the capacities of AARDO Member Countries in building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready food systems.

24/02/2026

AARDO-EICA Online Regional Workshop on "The Role of Cooperatives in Supporting Small Projects" (Arabic language)
15-18 December 2025
Cooperatives play a pivotal role in rural and social development by empowering rural communities and small enterprises to pool resources and ensure access to markets, training, and financial stability. These collective initiatives foster economic resilience and social inclusion, directly supporting several UN Sustainable Development Goals like poverty eradication and gender equality. The United Nations accordingly dedicated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives to recognize their vital global impact.

Keeping in view the importance of the subject and the context of the “International Year of Cooperatives”, AARDO, in collaboration with the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), organized an online regional workshop in Arabic on “The Role of Cooperatives in Supporting Small Projects” from 15–18 December 2025.

This online regional workshop got overwhelming response from the Arabic speaking member/eligible member countries. It was registered over one hundred participants from 8 AARDO Members countries, namely Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia; and one (1) eligible member country, Saudi Arabia, attended this program. The workshop enhanced knowledge of participants about capabilities of entrepreneurs, facilitating their access to finance and services, and opening new horizons for marketing and networking, to ensure success and sustainability. The program also contributed to spreading the culture of cooperation and teamwork and highlighted successful models that could be followed, so that cooperation could become amongst a real lever for economic and social development.

The chief guest, H.E. Mr. Kamel Galal, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to India opened and addressed the workshop on 15th of December 2025. Several other dignitaries including Mr. Rami Qtaishat, Assistant Secretary General, AARDO, Eng. Soheir El-Hefny, Director General of the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Mr. Mohammed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North and East Africa and other senior officials /experts form EICA and AARDO also made opening remarks, thereat.

In his inaugural address, the chief guest H.E. Mr. Kamel Galal, while appreciating AARDO’s role in strengthening the south-south cooperation, highlighted Egypt’s historical collaborative relations with AARDO. He also looked forward to Egypt’s continued support to AARDO in its endeavours for sustainable rural development in its member nations in Africa and Asia. In her address, Eng. Soheir El-Hefny, Director General of the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA) thanked AARDO for collaborating with the centre for organizing HRD programs and reiterated centre’s continued cooperation with AARDO. In his address, Mr. Rami Qtaishat, Assistant Secretary General of AARDO expressed his gratefulness for H.E. Mr. Kamel Galal for spearing his valuable time to inaugurate the program. He thanked the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for extending all support and cooperation to AARDO in its organizational and technical activities. He also, thanked the Director General of EICA for her valuable presence and cooperation with AARDO in organizing HRD programs. Mr. Rami highlighted the pivotal role of cooperatives in promoting rural and social development, particularly through its support for small projects in various ways, like pooling resources, knowledge and employment. He further underscored that cooperatives contribute, directly and indirectly, in achieving number of sustainable development goals of the UN. A vote of thanks was presented by Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, program coordinator, AARDO. The inaugural session concluded with a group photo session (screenshots).

During the technical sessions of the workshop, eminent experts/resource persons from the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), covered pertinent such as the current status of cooperatives and their role in providing future needs; role of agricultural cooperatives in achieving food security and social justice; contribution of cooperatives in the advancement of small enterprises and achieving sustainable development; and obstacles of agricultural cooperatives in Egypt. The workshop successfully achieved its objective and significantly boosted participants' knowledge in the domain of cooperatives.

The workshop successfully concluded on 18 December 2025, with closing remarks by Eng. Soheir El-Hefny, Director General of the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Mr. Mohamed Hassan Rashwan, Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for North & Eastern Africa, and Mr. Mohammad Naimuddin, Translation Officer (Arabic) and Program Coordinator from AARDO.

Several participants, including Eng. Mohammed Mansour Al-Hawamdeh, the Honorary Regional Representative of AARDO for Middle East, Amman, presented their feedback and expressed gratitude to AARDO, its Regional Office in Cairo, and the Egyptian International Centre for Agriculture (EICA), Egypt for organizing the workshop.

24/02/2026

AARDO–VAMNICOM International Programme on “Digitalization of Cooperative and Rural Financing Institutions”, Pune, India
01 – 10 December 2025
The African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, successfully organized an International Programme on “Digitalization of Cooperative and Rural Financing Institutions” from 1 to 10 December 2025 at VAMNICOM, Pune. The programme has strengthened institutional capacities of cooperatives and rural financial institutions, through the adoption of digital technologies, fintech solutions, and innovative governance practices. The programme was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, and Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director, VAMNICOM, in the presence of senior dignitaries including Mr. Edward Mulbah, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia; H.E. Mr. Abdoulie Njai, Member of Parliament, Gambia National Assembly; Prof. (Dr.) Biswajit Das, KIIT School of Management, KIIT University; and Dr. (Fr.) Lijo Thomas, Director, Christ University and Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, Head, IEC Division, AARDO. The inaugural session underscored the growing importance of digital transformation in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness within cooperative and rural finance ecosystems.

The programme was attended by 12 participants from AARDO Member Countries, namely Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zambia, representing government institutions, cooperative organizations, and financial institutions. The diverse participation enabled meaningful exchange of experiences and best practices across regions. Participants of the programme had the opportunity to participate in selected sessions of AARDO’s and Vamnicom International Roundtable on Roundtable Meeting on “Enhancing Contributions and Competitiveness of Cooperatives and SMEs through Policy, Governance and Technology Interventions”, 01-06 December 2025.

The technical sessions covered key themes such as policy and regulatory frameworks for cooperatives and MSMEs, governance and institutional strengthening, global trends in cooperatives, capacity building of youth and women, adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, access to finance, and strategies for enhancing competitiveness and market access. Special sessions on API banking, digital ecosystems, and digital transformation experiences of cooperative banks provided practical insights into emerging fintech solutions relevant to rural and cooperative institutions.

A series of study visits, furthermore, offered practical exposure to successful cooperative and rural finance models. Participants visited the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence at KVK Baramati, Grahak Peth (Consumer Cooperative), Pune District Central Cooperative Bank, IFFCO State Office, Amul Satellite Dairy Village, Sahyadri Farms (FPO), Venkateshwara Co-operative Power and Agro Processing Ltd., and Annapurna Pariwar (Microfinance Institution). These visits demonstrated the effective use of digital tools, cooperative governance, value-chain integration, and inclusive financing mechanisms in strengthening rural livelihoods.

The programme concluded with a valedictory session during which certificates were awarded by Mrs. Vijayashree Bhagawati, Assistant Professor , VAMNICOM, in the presence of Dr. D. Ravi, Programme Director. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge gained to advance digitalization and institutional reforms in cooperatives and rural financing institutions in their respective countries.

The programme reinforced AARDO’s commitment to promoting resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven cooperative and rural financing systems across Asia and Africa, in line with its mandate of fostering sustainable rural development among Member Countries.

24/02/2026

AARDO–VAMNICOM Roundtable Meeting on” Enhancing Contributions and Competitiveness of Cooperatives and SMEs through Policy, Governance, and Technology Interventions, Vamnicom, Pune
01 – 06 December 2025
Commemorating the International Year of Cooperatives, the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), Pune, successfully organised the International Roundtable on “Enhancing Contributions and Competitiveness of Cooperatives and MSMEs through Policy, Governance and Technology Interventions” during 1-6 December 2025. The Roundtable brought together policymakers, senior government officials, academicians, cooperative leaders and development practitioners from 16 AARDO Member Countries and Premier Institutes/ Universities across Africa and Asia i.e. Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zambia and two delegates from an International Organization from Moscow, Russia.

The programme was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries including Hon. Mr. Edward Mulbah, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia; H.E. Mr. Abdoulie Njai, Member of Parliament, The Gambia; Prof. Dr. Biswajit Das, KIIT School of Management; Dr. (Fr.) Lijo Thomas, Director, Christ University and Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director, VAMNICOM. The inaugural session underscored the pivotal role of cooperatives and MSMEs in addressing rural poverty, employment generation, food security and inclusive economic growth across Africa and Asia.

During the Inaugural Session, Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director, VAMNICOM, highlighted cooperatives as people-centred institutions promoting equity, collective action and inclusive rural development, and emphasised the need for capacity building, professional management and technology adoption to make them future-ready. H.E. Mr. Abdoulie Njai, Member of Parliament, The Gambia, underscored the vital role of cooperatives and MSMEs in strengthening rural economies, particularly in agriculture and community development, and stressed the importance of digitalisation, sound governance and policy support to empower youth and women. Prof. Dr. Biswajit Das, KIIT School of Management, traced the evolution of the cooperative movement and reaffirmed its core values of democracy, equality and solidarity, while highlighting the need for technological innovation and sustainability to enhance its resilience and competitiveness. Mr. Edward Mulbah, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia in his inaugural speech, emphasized that cooperatives, digital innovation, and climate resilience are vital for Liberia’s inclusive growth, with women and youth driving rural transformation. He called for stronger institutions and African-Asian collaboration to build a resilient and equitable future. Dr. (Fr.) Lijo Thomas, Director, Christ University in his inaugural address, undersigned that rural development was essential for sustainable growth, urging preservation of rural communities values while fostering fair partnerships to empower them. He reminded that true transformation in the age of AI depends on human capital—compassion, creativity, and commitment. Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, emphasised the urgency of developing and strengthening the nexus of cooperatives and MSMEs to address rural poverty, food security and employment challenges in Africa and Asia, and called for governance reforms, technology integration and strengthened South–South cooperation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Roundtable featured a series of Technical Sessions that provided in-depth deliberations on key thematic areas critical to strengthening Cooperatives and MSMEs in the evolving global landscape. These sessions focused on global trends in Cooperatives and MSMEs; policy and regulatory frameworks and institutional strengthening; capacity building and skills development of youth and women; adoption of digital technologies and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI); financial schemes and institutional mechanisms for improving access to capital; enhancing competitiveness and market access; and research-based evidence on how Cooperatives and MSMEs are adapting to emerging economic, technological and climate-related challenges.

The Technical Sessions were enriched by expert presentations, panel discussions and country experiences shared by senior policymakers, academicians and practitioners from Africa and Asia. These deliberations enabled participants to critically analyse challenges, exchange best practices and identify practical, inclusive and technology-enabled pathways for improving governance, resilience and competitiveness of Cooperatives and MSMEs.

In addition, structured Group Discussions provided an interactive platform for delegates to exchange country experiences, identify common challenges and propose practical solutions related to inclusive development, policy support mechanisms and institutional strengthening. The outcomes of these discussions contributed significantly to the overall recommendations of the Roundtable.

On 5 December 2025, the delegates undertook a series of field visits to key cooperative institutions, providing them with practical exposure to the functioning and impact of cooperative models in India. The visit began with a consumer cooperative shop managed by a federation of cooperatives, which has been serving the local community for over five decades. The interaction highlighted how cooperative retail enterprises play a vital role in ensuring the availability of quality goods at affordable prices, while simultaneously strengthening local livelihoods and fostering community ownership across both rural and urban populations.

The delegates further visited the Pune District Central Cooperative (PDCC) Bank, a pivotal financial institution in the cooperative banking ecosystem. The visit offered insights into how cooperative banks contribute to financial inclusion, provide credit support to farmers, self-help groups, and cooperative societies, and strengthen grassroots economic activities. Discussions underscored the bank’s role in enabling cooperative enterprises as well as FPOS and SMES to grow sustainably through accessible and member-driven financial services.

The field visit concluded at IFFCO, Pune, one of India’s largest and most successful cooperative organizations in the fertilizer and agri-input sector. The delegates gained an understanding of IFFCO’s extensive outreach, farmer-centric services, and its commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices through innovation, research, and capacity building.

Collectively, these visits showcased the diversity, resilience, and long-term contributions of the cooperative movement across sectors such as retail, finance, and agriculture. They also demonstrated how cooperatives and small institutions could adapted to competitive environment, evolving socio-economic and technological challenges. Thus, reinforcing their relevance in advancing rural development, inclusive growth, and community empowerment in the contemporary context.

The Valedictory Session was graced by H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO; Hon. Mr. Edward Mulbah, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia; H.E. Mr. Abdoulie Njai, Member of Parliament, The Gambia; and Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director, VAMNICOM. The session reflected on key deliberations and emphasised the importance of translating policy dialogue into action-oriented cooperation, strengthened institutional mechanisms and sustained capacity-building initiatives for Cooperatives and MSMEs. It was concluded that, inter alia, several successful development models of cooperatives and MSMES could be emulated in most of AARDO Member Countries. Moreover, conducive policies could be enunciated to ensure good governance as well as technology adoption in cooperatives and MSMEs.

During the Valedictory Session, Certificates of Participation were awarded to all international delegates and participants in recognition of their active engagement, knowledge sharing and valuable contributions to the Roundtable. The certification symbolised AARDO’s continued commitment to capacity building, professional development and South–South cooperation.

The Roundtable concluded with a shared resolve to deepen collaboration among governments, academic institutions, cooperative organisations and development partners. The recommendations and outcomes of the Roundtable will be consolidated in the form of the Report and shared with AARDO Member Countries, international organisations and financial institutions, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and future AARDO initiatives aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, employment and economic resilience across Africa and Asia.

24/02/2026

Third International Workshop on “Emerging Trends in Agricultural Technologies” at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), West Bengal, India
30th November - 09th December 2025
The African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, successfully organised the Third International Workshop on Emerging Trends in Agricultural Technology from 30 November to 9 December 2025 at the IIT Kharagpur campus, India.

The nine-day international workshop brought together 09 senior officials, academicians, researchers, and development practitioners from eight AARDO Member Countries across Asia and Africa, namely, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Namibia, Zambia, along with distinguished faculty members and scholars of IIT Kharagpur. The programme strengthen international cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in the field of agricultural and food engineering, with a strong focus on sustainability, climate resilience, innovation, and technology-led rural development.

The workshop commenced with an inaugural session addressed by senior faculty members of IIT Kharagpur, including Prof. Anandaroop Bhattacharya, Dean (International Relations), and Prof. Madan Kumar Jha, Head, Agricultural and Food Engineering Department. The speakers highlighted IIT Kharagpur’s global academic collaborations and emphasised the role of international training programmes in bridging technological gaps, promoting knowledge transfer, and strengthening institutional capacities in developing countries.

The workshop featured a series of high-level technical lectures, delivered by eminent experts from IIT Kharagpur, besides interactive sessions, laboratory demonstrations, and field visits. Key thematic areas covered during the programme included Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and precision agriculture; advanced spectroscopic and hyperspectral imaging techniques for food quality and safety; Geo-AI, satellite remote sensing, and machine learning applications in agriculture and aquaculture; climate-smart agriculture, carbon management, and greenhouse gas mitigation; innovations in hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and controlled-environment agriculture; smart and intensive aquaculture systems and emerging technologies; Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in agricultural technology and innovation management; and sensor- and AI-based soil and crop diagnostics for sustainable farming systems.

Participants gained valuable hands-on exposure through visits to advanced laboratories, precision farming facilities, aquaculture ponds, incubation centres, and research fields at IIT Kharagpur, enabling them to relate theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

Special sessions were devoted to the agri-start-up and incubation ecosystem in India, featuring interactions with the leadership of the Agri-Business Incubation Foundation (ABIF) and Agri-Food Business Incubator Centre (AFBIC), along with presentations by successful agri-tech start-ups.

The workshop significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of emerging agricultural technologies, climate-resilient farming practices, and innovation-driven rural development models. It also reinforced the importance of South–South cooperation, academic–industry collaboration, and policy-oriented capacity building for addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture and food systems. Entrepreneurship development, innovation pathways, and employment generation opportunities relevant to AARDO Member Countries were equally highlighted.

The programme concluded with a valedictory session, during which certificates of participation were formally awarded to all participants, marking the successful completion of the international workshop.

AARDO remains committed to promoting knowledge sharing, skill development, and institutional collaboration among its Member Countries. The successful conduct of this workshop further strengthened AARDO’s partnership with IIT Kharagpur and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity across Asia and Africa.

24/02/2026

AARDO–IIT Madras International Training Programme on “Rural Technology Towards Improving Lives in Rural Areas with the Use of Science & Technology”
24 November to 2 December 2025
The African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), successfully organized an International Training Programme on “Rural Technology Towards Improving Lives in Rural Areas with the Use of Science & Technology” from 24 November to 2 December 2025 at the IIT Madras campus, Chennai.

The programme has strengthen the technical and managerial capacities of participants who are professionals, engaged in rural development and it has underscored the importance of science- and technology-driven solutions for sustainable livelihoods and inclusive rural transformation across Asia and Africa.

The training programme brought together senior government officials, academicians, researchers, and development practitioners from Eswatini, Ghana, Jordan, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zambia, representing key ministries, universities, research institutions, and development agencies. The diverse participation has enabled rich cross-country learning, exchange of best practices, and policy-level dialogue on rural technology adoption and community-based development models.

The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean, Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras, who highlighted the institute’s commitment to global engagement and its role in developing technology-based solutions for rural challenges in developing regions. This was followed by an overview of the programme objectives by Prof. Abhijit P. Deshpande, Department of Chemical Engineering and Co-Principal Investigator, RuTAG, IIT Madras, who emphasized the importance of need-based, affordable, and scalable rural technologies. Thereafter, the Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, in his address underscored the significance of capacity building, South–South cooperation, and knowledge exchange among AARDO Member Countries. He further stated that collaborative initiatives between Asia and Africa were essential for building resilient rural economies and fostering long-term development partnerships.

The programme featured expert lectures, interactive sessions, demonstrations, and institutional interactions led by distinguished faculty of IIT Madras and eminent experts from national organizations. Key thematic areas included waste-to-wealth technologies, rural sustainability and economic planning, agricultural transportation systems, appropriate technologies for livelihood sustainability, rural women entrepreneurship, diagnostics and healthcare technologies, aquaculture development, leather and natural fibre technologies, soil testing, intellectual property rights, and startup ecosystems in higher education institutions. Special sessions were also devoted to understanding the role of NABARD, government schemes for rural development, and national initiatives such as Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.

Participants have also benefited from hands-on exposure through technology demonstrations and showcases of rural innovations developed at IIT Madras. A guided campus tour provided insights into research facilities, and innovation ecosystem, bringing science to society.

To enhance experiential learning, the programme included cultural and field exposure visits, including a visit to Pondicherry and Eco Femme Auroshilpam, Auroville, where participants observed women-led sustainable enterprises, environmentally responsible production practices, and community empowerment models.

The valedictory ceremony marked the successful completion of the programme and was addressed by Prof. Varunkumar S, Principal Investigator, RuTAG, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras. He emphasized the importance of contextual adaptation of technologies, community participation, and sustainable implementation strategies for meaningful rural impact. Participants were honoured with IIT Madras certificates and mementoes. The programme achieved significant outcomes by enhancing participants’ technical and managerial capabilities and strengthening an Asia–Africa network of policymakers, researchers, and practitioners committed to rural upliftment. Delegates expressed keen interest in future collaborations, including joint research, pilot implementation of IIT Madras technologies, and continued knowledge exchange.

The AARDO–IIT Madras International Training Programme 2025 stands as a strong model of international collaboration, demonstrating how academic excellence, practical exposure, and cross-cultural engagement can collectively contribute to improving the lives of rural communities across Asia and Africa.

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