Public Document Action on Invasives An invasive species system assessment in Bangladesh Kate Constantine, Malvika Chaudhary and Frances Williams December 2020 KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE 1 Public Document An invasive species assessment in Bangladesh Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the critical contributions of Mr Anwarul Alam and Dr Biresh K. Goswami towards facilitating this work. CABI is an international intergovernmental organisation, and we gratefully acknowledge the core financial support from our member countries (and lead agencies) including the United Kingdom (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), China (Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Australia (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research), Canada (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Netherlands (Directorate-General for International Cooperation), and Switzerland (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation). The Action on Invasives Programme is supported by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and The Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation. This report is the Copyright of CAB International, on behalf of the sponsors of this work where appropriate. It presents unpublished research findings, which should not be used or quoted without written agreement from CAB International. Unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing, all information herein should be treated as confidential. 1 Public Document Executive summary Invasive species are a serious and growing problem in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to understand the current status of the invasive species system in Bangladesh and describe, evaluate and assess the responsiveness of the system to address the threat of invasive species to the country. A methodology was developed that identifies areas to address to strengthen the system, as well as a baseline against which changes in responsiveness of the system can be assessed at a later date if required. The methodology was based on three steps: a desk review; a stakeholder workshop; and key informant interviews. This methodology was used for the first time in Kenya in 2019 with the same approach planned for Bangladesh in 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global travel and meeting restrictions, a modified approach that concentrated on the literature/ document review and more comprehensive key informant interviews was adopted. The findings from the study in Bangladesh demonstrate that there are a broad range of actors present in the invasive species system with high levels of technical expertise. This was exemplified by the rapid establishment of a national taskforce when Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first detected in the country in 2018. However, there is room for improvement before the system could be considered optimal and shift from being reactive to proactive in IAS management. For instance, existing policies and regulations that govern the way invasive species management is delivered are adequate but not well-executed at the implementation level and the links between various actors/ organisations need strengthening. A central coordinating body that would bring together the various actors in a cross-sectoral and multi-species approach to IAS management is a priority, as is research into the IAS already present, as well as international cooperation and horizon scanning for new threats. Training, capacity building and awareness raising at multiple levels on both IAS and sustainable IPM practices to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides is recommended. The key informant interviews have facilitated stakeholder engagement and provided an understanding of the current system in Bangladesh. Those contributing to the study have helped to completed a self-assessment of the current system’s strengths and weaknesses and based on this understanding and insight recommendations are made that would help to strengthen the system in Bangladesh. 2 Public Document Table of Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. 3 Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5 Action on Invasives Programme ........................................................................................ 5 The Study .......................................................................................................................... 6 Key objectives ................................................................................................................... 7 Theoretical framework ....................................................................................................... 7 Methods ................................................................................................................................ 8 Desk / literature review ...................................................................................................... 8 Key informant interviews ................................................................................................... 9 Results ................................................................................................................................ 10 Policy and Legal framework ............................................................................................. 10 Specific work related to invasive species ......................................................................... 12 Key actors/ organisations .................................................................................................... 14 Department for Agricultural Extension (DAE) and National Plant Protection Organisation 14 Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) .......................................................... 16 International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) ...................................... 17 Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI) ............................................ 18 Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) .................................................................... 19 Arannayk Foundation (AF)............................................................................................... 20 Ispahani Agro Limited ...................................................................................................... 20 Syngenta Bangladesh Limited ......................................................................................... 21 Agriculture Information Service (AIS) ............................................................................... 22 WorldFish ........................................................................................................................ 22 Forestry expert, Centre for research on land-use sustainability ....................................... 24 Chittagong University ...................................................................................................... 25 Case study of Chuadanga District ................................................................................... 26 Discussion ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Strengths of the Bangladesh invasive species system ........ Error! Bookmark not defined. Weaknesses of the Bangladesh invasive species system... Error! Bookmark not defined. Recommendations.............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. References ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Annex 1: List of persons consulted ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3 Public Document Acronyms AF Arannayk Foundation AGRIS International System for Agricultural Science and Technology AoI Action on Invasives AIS Agricultural Information Service BARC Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute BWMRI Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute BFRI Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute CABI Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International CARIS Current Agricultural Research Information System CIMMYT Centre for Wheat and Maize Research CSISA Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia DAE Department of Agriculture and Extension DoF Department of Fisheries FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation FSW Field Service Wing IAS Invasive Alien Species ICT Information Communication Technology IMO International Maritime Organisation IPM Integrated Pest Management IPPC International Plant Protection Convention NARS National Agricultural Research System NATCC National Agricultural Technical Co-ordination Committee NGO Non-governmental organisation NPPC National Plant Protection Convention NPPO National Plant Protection Organisation NTF National Task Force PPW Plant protection wing PQW Plant quarantine wing PRA Pest Risk Assessment SAAO Sub Assistant Agricultural Officers SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACEP South Asia Cooperative Environment