Maldives hosts High-Level Policy Forum of SAARC agriculture sector

Tuesday, 26 November 2024 02:23 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

  • Key event explores scaling climate-smart agriculture for sustainable growth in South Asia

A two-day High-Level Policy Forum on South Asia’s Agricultural Future: Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Sustainable Growth was held on 14 and 15 November in the Maldives, following the 2nd Project Steering Committee meeting on 13 November. 

The workshop brought together researchers, technical experts, agriculture and extension officers, policymakers and farmers from SAARC member states, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The forum’s key objective is to support the scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and food security across the region. The event was organised by the Consortium for Scaling-up Climate-Smart Agriculture in South Asia (C-SUCSeS), a joint initiative between the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and SAARC Development Fund (SDF), in partnership with the Republic of Maldives Agriculture and Animal Welfare Ministry.

In an effort to promote the uptake of CSA practices, the C-SUCSeS project introduced comprehensive training modules, video guides, and materials on ten key CSA technologies, as part of the project activities. These resources were developed with inputs from national focal points and regional experts from across the region and were validated by stakeholders during a workshop hosted by the SAC, IFPRI, and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) earlier this year. The training modules, including farmer’s guides and facilitator manuals, were officially launched by Dr. Aishath Rameela during the forum.

Maldives Agriculture and Animal Welfare Minister Dr. Aishath Rameela graced the event as the Chief Guest for the inauguration ceremony.

 In her address, Dr. Rameela highlighted the importance of cross-country collaboration in addressing the climate impacts on agriculture.

“This high-level policy forum offers a unique platform to align our strategies and policies for the future of climate-smart agriculture across South Asia. By working together, we aim to build a resilient agricultural sector that adapts to changing climates, ensures food security, and creates economic opportunities for our people,” said Dr. Rameela.

She further emphasised the need for shared learning and evidence-based practices to empower smallholder farmers, who are the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. “By investing in resilient crop varieties, efficient water management practices, and sustainable soil management, we can foster a more productive and climate-resilient agricultural system,” she added.

Agriculture and Animal Welfare State Minister Ahmed Hassan Didi also underscored the importance of fostering regional cooperation. “By encouraging policy alignment and fostering dialogue, we can build resilient agricultural ecosystems that support growth, food security, and sustainability,” he said.

IFPRI Director – South Asia Dr. Shahidur Rashid stated that, South Asia is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, and while resilience is critical, it has its limits. “We need to work together to find solutions. Our research outputs must be rigorous, relevant, and timely to make a tangible difference,” he emphasised.

SAARC Agriculture Centre Director Dr. Harunur Rashid, highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in agricultural programming. “There is a pressing need to develop sustainable agricultural practices that address farmers’ needs, market access issues, and promote regional cooperation,” he noted, stressing that numerous CSA technologies have been tested and prioritised across the region.

IFAD Lead Regional Economist – Asia and the Pacific Region Abdelkarim Sma echoed these sentiments, noting that CSA is now a necessity, not an option. “The C-SUCSeS consortium aims to move beyond small-scale interventions to large-scale solutions that can be deployed effectively across the region,” he said.

The event brought attention to the crucial role of cross-sectoral collaboration between governments, research institutions, and the private sector. A central theme discussed was the need to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women, by promoting the uptake of CSA technologies to mitigate food insecurity and poverty.

The Policy Forum discussed key topics such as: Creating a conducive policy environment for scaling up CSA in South Asia; future directions for transforming agriculture in the region; the role of emerging technologies and big data in advancing CSA and; innovation hubs and agri-tech startups.

Participants emphasised the importance of targeted actions to empower farmers, especially small holders and women farmers, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across South Asia. Through this collaboration, the C-SUCSeS initiative seeks to build a resilient agricultural system capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring long-term food security for the region.

Other key delegates attending the event included Maldives Agriculture and Animal Welfare Ministry Department of Agriculture Director General Hussain Faisal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) Director and C-SUCSeS Project Steering Committee Chairperson Dr. V.K. Singh, and SAARC Agriculture Centre Governing Body Chairperson Ali Amir.

 

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