Matia for integrated water policy for Saarc region
An integrated water policy for the Saarc region is imperative for equitable use of river water for agricultural development, said Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury yesterday.
“To promote agriculture, sustainable use of natural resources is crucial. An integrated regional water policy is very important for sustainable and equity-based use of river water,” she added.
The minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the 5th meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Technical Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development at a city hotel.
Matia urged all concerned to make the Saarc Food Bank more dynamic and effective to ensure food security of the member countries, says an official handout.
“Ensuring food security in the over-populated countries of the region is a big challenge,” she said, adding that Bangladesh requires 3.5 lakh tonnes of extra food for the new faces annually.
Tackling all odds, Bangladesh is going ahead, she said, adding that the country produced two crore tonnes of rice in last Boro season.
“But for more production, regional cooperation in agriculture is a demand of the time now,” Matia said identifying communication technology, biotechnology, agribusiness and early warning systems for weather and flood as the areas of cooperation.
Agriculture Secretary CQK Mushtaq Ahmad, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council Executive Chairman Dr Wais Kabir, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on agriculture ministry and diplomats of Saarc countries were present on the occasion.
Comments