Photo: SAARC

DHAKA, July 21, 2026 (BSS) – Experts including policymakers, food safety regulators, researchers and agricultural experts from SAARC countries today called for stronger regional cooperation to ensure safe food production, improve agricultural value chains and facilitate trade across South Asia. 

They made the  call at a three-day virtual workshop on “Safe Food Crop Production and Value Chain in South Asia,” organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) at its city office here.

Opening the event, SAC Director Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid highlighted the growing importance of food safety in protecting public health and enhancing regional trade competitiveness. 

He stressed that stronger cooperation among member states is essential to address common challenges and build resilient agri-food systems. He noted that the SAARC Agriculture Centre is committed to promoting safe food crop production and strengthening value chains across South Asia.

Dr. Sikander Khan Tanveer, Senior Programme Specialist (Crops) at SAC, outlined the objectives of the workshop and emphasized the need for collective action to improve food safety governance throughout South Asia.

Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Director General of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, spoke at the function as the chief guest while Tanvir Ahmed Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF) at SAARC Kathmandu also was the special guest.

Presenting regional overview, Mohan Krishna Maharjan, Senior Food Research Officer at Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, highlighted weak regulatory enforcement, limited laboratory capacity and poor traceability as key challenges to food safety in South Asia. 

He stressed the need for harmonized food safety standards, stronger SAFTA implementation, modernized customs systems and mutual recognition of food safety certificates across the region.

Addressing as the special guest, Tanvir Ahmed Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF) at SAARC Kathmandu, underscored the importance of institutional partnerships and knowledge sharing among member countries. 

He emphasized the need to strengthen regional agricultural value chains through practical cooperation, technology exchange and the adoption of best practices to ensure safe and sustainable food production across South Asia.

Chief Guest Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, Director General of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, emphasized that ensuring food safety from farm to fork is essential for protecting public health, strengthening consumer confidence and expanding regional agricultural trade. 

He called on SAARC member states to adopt science-based standards, promote sustainable farming practices and enhance regional cooperation to build resilient and safe food systems across South Asia.

The workshop will continue till July 23 with three technical sessions on farm-level standards, climate-resilient crop production, quality control, organic agriculture, pesticide residue management, post-harvest food safety and regulatory reforms across SAARC member states.