Motia urges all to help speed up SAARC engine
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Agriculture Minister Motia Chowdhury has called for united efforts to face the challenges and harness the potentialities for development of agriculture in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region.
The minister made the appeal while addressing a seminar as the chief guest in the city Tuesday, reports BSS.
The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) organised the seminar on 'challenges of agriculture in SAARC region' marking the 24th founding anniversary of this South Asian economic and cooperation forum.
"In an age of globalisation and interdependence, the SAARC has to be prepared to face the challenges and opportunities being generated from within the region and outside", the minister said adding "we need to direct our political will to speed up the engine of SAARC".
In connection with the regional initiatives, Motia Chowdhury said member states have developed cooperative agreements and linkages in the areas of agriculture, rural development, health and population, women and children, environment, science and technology and many other fields.
She said in these areas, the SAARC has formed several Integrated Programmes of Action (IPA) to provide policy recommendations and coordination support to the initiatives and activities being undertaken by the member countries.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion as a guest of honour an Indian agro-expert said raising and sustaining agriculture growth, enhancing income and employment, ensuring food and nutrition security, adapting to climate change and protecting bio-diversity are the major challenges in the agriculture sector of the region.
The minister made the appeal while addressing a seminar as the chief guest in the city Tuesday, reports BSS.
The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) organised the seminar on 'challenges of agriculture in SAARC region' marking the 24th founding anniversary of this South Asian economic and cooperation forum.
"In an age of globalisation and interdependence, the SAARC has to be prepared to face the challenges and opportunities being generated from within the region and outside", the minister said adding "we need to direct our political will to speed up the engine of SAARC".
In connection with the regional initiatives, Motia Chowdhury said member states have developed cooperative agreements and linkages in the areas of agriculture, rural development, health and population, women and children, environment, science and technology and many other fields.
She said in these areas, the SAARC has formed several Integrated Programmes of Action (IPA) to provide policy recommendations and coordination support to the initiatives and activities being undertaken by the member countries.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion as a guest of honour an Indian agro-expert said raising and sustaining agriculture growth, enhancing income and employment, ensuring food and nutrition security, adapting to climate change and protecting bio-diversity are the major challenges in the agriculture sector of the region.