Md Abdus Salam promoted as new executive chairman of BARC

Md Abdus Salam, member director (Crops Division) of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), has taken over the charge as the new executive chairman (Routine Charge) of the Council.

According to an office order issued yesterday (30 October) by Md Mostafizur Rahman, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Salam has been appointed to this position. 

He succeeds the outgoing Executive Chairman, Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim, who retired upon completion of her service.

Dr Md Abdus Salam was born on 30 December 1968 in Aowral village, Chandina upazila of Cumilla district. With over three decades of professional experience, he has made outstanding contributions to agricultural research, technology development, planning, and administration in Bangladesh.

He obtained his BSc Ag. (Hons.) degree in 1990 from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. He completed his MS in Horticulture from the same university in 2001, securing first class, and earned his PhD in Horticulture in 2009. Later, during 2013–14, he completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Monitoring and Evaluation from Kansas State University, USA.

He began his professional career in 1995 as a Scientific Officer at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). In 2009, he joined the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), where he served in several key positions in the Planning and Evaluation Division, Support Service Unit, and Crops Division. He was promoted to member director (Crops Division) on 22 November 2022.

Dr Salam is a renowned agricultural scientist and has made remarkable contributions in the field of horticulture research. He has authored/edited 66 full-length research papers, 38 abstracts, and 20 books. Under his supervision, a significant number of M.S. students have successfully completed their research. He has also developed 11 new agricultural technologies and transferred 6 technologies to farmers for field application.

Beyond national research, Abdus Salam is well-recognised internationally. He received the Best Country Report Presentation Award at an international training workshop on Postharvest Management Technology for Horticultural Crops held in Thailand. He was awarded Post-Doctoral Scholarship (2013), PhD Scholarship (2004–05), and MS Scholarship (1999–2000) under USAID funding.

Throughout his distinguished career, Abdus Salam has participated in more than 70 training programs and workshops, including over 40 in Bangladesh and around 30 abroad. He has demonstrated expertise in research management, policy formulation, project coordination, and international collaboration.

He currently serves as the National Focal Point (NFP) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO). He is also the Convener of the GAP Unit, BARC, and Member Secretary of the Bangladesh GAP Steering Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture. Dr. Salam has successfully led several national research projects, including the Upazila Land Suitability Assessment and Crop Zoning Project (Phase-II), OFANS (Omics Food and Nutrition Security), Integrated Farming Research for Livelihood Improvement, and Climate Resilient Farming Systems Research.