ADAB was established in the year of 1974. The primary objective was to establish and foster cooperation and coordination the activities of International Donor and Aid Agencies engaged in relief and rehabilitation works in the war ravaged Bangladesh. Then it was named as ‘Association of Voluntary Agencies in Bangladesh’ which was abbreviated as (AVAB). As agriculture and food production was prioritized by its member organizations to ensure food security, in 1977 the organization was renamed as ‘Agricultural Development Agencies in Bangladesh’ (ADAB).