Photo : SAARC Agriculture Centre

DHAKA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - A three-day regional workshop on "Agricultural Biosecurity for Plant Health in South Asia" began today on a virtual platform under the arrangement of the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC).

The event brings together experts, policymakers and researchers to discuss major challenges of plant health and transboundary biosecurity in the SAARC states, said a press release. 

Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarker, Additional Foreign Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC), joined the inaugural session as the chief guest. 

He emphasized the importance of collective regional action to safeguard agriculture from pests and diseases that threaten food security and trade across South Asia.
 
Dr Md Harunur Rashid, Director of SAC, chaired the technical session.

He highlighted SAC's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on plant biosecurity and promoting knowledge and experience sharing among member states. 

He noted that biosecurity is essential for protecting crops from transboundary pests and diseases that threaten food security in the region. 

He further emphasized that a unified regional strategy will help SAARC countries build resilience and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
 
Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman (Routine Charge) of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), attended as the special guest, stressing the need for stronger research-policy linkages to protect crops. 

Guest of Honor Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF), SAARC Secretariat, Nepal, underlined the importance of harmonized phytosanitary measures for safer regional trade.
 
Dr V. Celia Challam, Head and Principal Scientist, Division of Plant Quarantine, ICAR-NBPGR, India, delivered the keynote paper on "Plant Biosecurity in South Asia-Status and Challenges". 

She discussed the increasing threats from invasive pests like wheat blast, Fall Armyworm and locusts, exacerbated by climate change and porous borders. She also highlighted the strength of SAARC member states in biosecurity for plant health. 
 
Presenting the objectives and programme overview, Dr Sikander Khan Tanveer, Senior Programme Specialist (Crops), SAC, explained that the workshop would serve as a consultation platform to identify challenges, prospects and a collective way forward for SAARC countries. 
 
The technical discussions focused on strengthening regional networks, investing in early-warning and surveillance systems, harmonizing quarantine standards, and raising farmer awareness on integrated pest management (IPM). Experts also stressed the importance of digital tools, biotechnology and regional funding to address future biosecurity threats.
 
The three-day programme is expected to produce recommendations on establishing a SAARC Plant Health Biosecurity Network, promoting real-time data sharing, and fostering research and development collaborations to build a resilient and safe agricultural practices.