The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) unveiled two significant publications on regional agricultural priorities at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Saturday.
The books, titled ‘Fostering Agricultural Trade through Harmonised Food Safety Standards in South Asia’ and ‘Promoting Agroecological Approaches for the Sustainable Transformation of Agri-food Systems in South Asia’, focus on sustainable food systems and agricultural development within the region.
P Chandra Shekara, director general of the centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), graced the ceremony as the chief guest, while Md Harunur Rashid, director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre, presided over the event.
In his welcome address, Md Younus Ali, senior programme specialist (Livestock), emphasised the necessity of regional knowledge sharing and collaborative research.
He noted that enhanced cooperation between policymakers and researchers is essential to improving food safety systems and fostering sustainable development across SAARC nations.
Speaking as the chief guest, Shekara highlighted the urgent need for harmonised food safety standards to facilitate smoother agricultural trade in South Asia.
He remarked that strengthening institutional capacity and regulatory cooperation is vital for building trust in regional markets and supporting rural livelihoods.
During his presidential remarks, Harunur Rashid cautioned that agriculture in South Asia is under increasing pressure from climate change, land degradation, and market uncertainties. He asserted that agroecological approaches and science-based policy guidance are fundamental to building resilient agri-food systems and ensuring long-term food security for the region.
The two publications were edited by a team of experts, including Harunur Rashid, Younus Ali, Raza Ullah Khan, Md Abdur Razzaque, Palash Chandra Goswami, and Md Abul Bashar.
The event was moderated by AHM Taslima Akhter, senior technical officer at SAC. At the conclusion of the ceremony, votes of thanks were delivered by Sikander Khan Tanveer, senior programme specialist (Crops), and Md Shariful Islam, senior programme specialist (Fisheries).
