SAARC Nations Call for Stronger Regional Cooperation in Safe Food Production and Trade

SAARC member nations have called for stronger regional cooperation to ensure safe food production, improve agricultural value chains, and expand regional trade in South Asia. The call was made during the inaugural session of a three-day virtual regional workshop titled "Safe Food Grain Production and Value Chain in South Asia," organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC).

Inaugurated on Tuesday (July 21, 2026), the workshop drew participation from policymakers, food safety regulatory representatives, researchers, and agricultural experts across the SAARC region.

In his opening address, Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre, emphasized the growing importance of food safety in protecting public health and enhancing the competitive capabilities of regional trade. He noted that closer collaboration among member states is imperative to address shared challenges and build resilient agri-food systems, reiterating SAC's commitment to strengthening safe food grain supply chains.

Highlighting the objectives of the workshop, Dr. Sikandar Khan Tanveer, Senior Program Specialist (Crops) at SAC, stressed the necessity of collective initiatives to upgrade food safety management frameworks across South Asia.

Presenting the regional scenario, Mohan Krishna Maharjan, Senior Food Research Officer at Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, identified weak regulatory enforcement, limited laboratory infrastructure, and poor traceability as major bottlenecks. He advocated for harmonizing food safety standards, effectively implementing SAFTA, modernizing customs procedures, and establishing mutual recognition of food safety certifications.

Attending as a special guest, Tanvir Ahmed Tarafder, Director (ARD & SDF) at the SAARC Secretariat, emphasized institutional partnerships and knowledge-sharing. He stated that practical cooperation, technology exchange, and the adoption of best practices are vital for fortifying regional agricultural value chains.

Chief Guest Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Director General of Agriculture in Sri Lanka, remarked, "Ensuring food safety from farm to fork is essential for safeguarding public health, building consumer trust, and promoting regional agri-trade." He urged member states to adopt science-based standards, promote sustainable farming practices, and step up regional synergies.

The workshop will continue until July 23, featuring technical sessions on farm-level standards implementation, climate-resilient crop production, quality control, organic farming, pesticide residue management, post-harvest safety, and the policy reforms governing food safety in SAARC member states.

//DBTech/MAB/SME//