South Asia yet to achieve food security

The 19th meeting of the governing board of Saarc Agriculture Information Centre (Saic) began at its headquarters at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (Barc) in the city.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are taking part in the three-day meet.

The speakers laid emphasis on the exchange of data, information, technology and new innovations in agriculture within the member countries to enhance farm production in the region.

They also stressed the need for implementing technology-based agriculture which will be cost-effective for the farmers.

Inaugurating the function as chief guest, State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for eradication of poverty of rural people involved in agriculture.

Speaking as special guest, Advisor on foreign affairs ministry Reaz Rahman said Saic should explore partnership or collaboration with other regional and international organisations dealing with similar issues under their respective mandate to share experience and information.

Pema Lhamo, chairperson of Saic Governing Board and programme director of Information and Communication Services under the agriculture ministry of Bhutan, chaired the inaugural function which was addressed by Saic Director Dr Wais Kabir and Md Sufiur Rahman.

Ambassador of Bhutan Dasho Jigme Tshul Thrim, Ambassador of Nepal Bhagirath Basnet and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Gamini Sarat Munasingha were present on the occasion.

Later, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir released a video film titled 'Jackfruit in Sri Lanka'.

Saic is the first Saarc regional centre established in Dhaka in 1998 to exchange a regional information network on agriculture and allied disciplines.