Agricultural scientist Dr Md Golam Mahbub joined the SAARC Agriculture Centre in Dhaka as its new Director on Tuesday, Sept 1, bringing more than two decades of experience in agricultural research and natural-resource management. He will work to strengthen agricultural cooperation, research and knowledge sharing among SAARC member countries, according to a press release.
Mahbub specialises in agroforestry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and natural-resource management. He is also serving as Principal Scientific Officer (Forestry) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, a position he took up in September 2025.
Mahbub began his career at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute in 2006 and later held several scientific positions at BARI and BARC. During his time at BARI, he established an Agro-Environmental Remote Sensing and Modelling Laboratory focused on research into the use of geospatial technologies in agriculture and environmental management.
He holds a PhD from Gifu University in Japan and a postgraduate diploma in remote sensing and GIS from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in India. He earned an MS in agroforestry and a BSc in agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University.
His research areas include climate change, agroforestry, forestry, remote sensing, GIS, natural-resource management and digital agriculture. He has published research papers in national and international journals.
The laboratory established by Mahbub at BARI conducts research on remote sensing and modelling in agricultural and environmental management, with a focus on applying geospatial technologies to the sectors.
His appointment comes as South Asian countries face challenges related to climate change, food security and natural-resource management. His leadership is expected to strengthen cooperation among SAARC countries on climate-resilient agriculture, research, innovation and sustainable agri-food systems.
