D-8 ministerial meeting on food security begins

The two-day D-8 ministerial meeting on agriculture and food security began in Dhaka today.

The agriculture ministry has organised the virtual meeting from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).

On the first day, secretaries and high-level officials of the D-8 member countries joined the meeting. Members of the coalition include delegations from Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Besides, the representatives of Islamic Development Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) joined the programme.

Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam, who presided over the meeting, said climate change is currently a major threat to agricultural production and adversely affecting crop production, health and productivity.

In this situation, the innovation and application of climate-smart technology have to be increased to keep the food production system sustainable, he said.

"Through this meeting, we will be able to know about the climate-smart technology used in D-8 countries. At the same time, it will help in identifying and exchanging exchangeable technologies."

A discussion on "Development of Climate Smart Agricultural Technology: the issues, possibilities and transfer or expansion of Climate Smart Agricultural Technology" in D-8 member countries was held on the first day's meeting.

Besides, the draft of "Dhaka Initiative" was finalised.

Tomorrow, agriculture and food ministers of the D-8 countries will discussion on increasing cooperation in the field of agriculture and will approve the "Dhaka Declaration".