Agriculture, Food Security in Saarc States
Info sharing can reduce risks
Speakers tell regional workshop
Information sharing on the successes and challenges of agriculture and food security among the South Asian nations can help reduce risks associated with rising population and declining farm land in the region, agriculturists said yesterday.
This region, with many geographical similarities, succeeded in developing better varieties of crops and vegetables and disaster management techniques, they said.
Sharing these experiences could be really helpful to other nations, they added.
The observation came at the inaugural session of a regional workshop titled "Coherence in information for agricultural research for development and strengthening regional agricultural information systems in Saarc countries" held at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in the city.
Saarc Agriculture Centre (SAC), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), BARC and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) jointly organised the three-day event.
The experts recommended that those engaged in preparing and disseminating information must provide complete, easy-to-understand and timely information.
"Say, you are disseminating information on a hybrid tomato and you did not mention the planting time; this gap of information could lead to disaster for the farmers," said Dr MA Sattar Mandal, vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Timely information on vaccination of livestock during diseases is crucial, said Mandal who addressed as the chief guest.
Besides, lack of market information including prices, products and inputs exists among farmers, consumers and businesses, and such gaps help in manipulating the market, he said.
BARC Executive Chairman Dr Wais Kabir said sharing real time information on plant diseases and disaster management among Saarc nations is imperative to cut peoples' vulnerabilities.
The workshop will help build networks among various institutions and individuals of Saarc, he said.
Total 25 participants from Saarc countries are attending the training. Dr Gerard Sylvester of FAO, Dr Ajit Maru of GFAR, Dr Attaluri Srinivasacharyulu of APAARI and Dr Abul Kalam Azad of SAC also spoke on the occasion.
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