Bangla | Epaper

BANGLA EPAPER 📍 Dhaka 📅 Tuesday | 21 July 2026, 6 Srabon 1433

HEADLINE

● Bangladesh measles death toll nears 800 ● Zia assassination: Tribunal orders to produce Mozzafar ● Govt vows tough action on online violence against women ● Technical fault cuts LNG supply, gas shortage feared ● Lowest hajj package for 2027 fixed at Tk 505,648, airfare cut by Tk 24,830 ● Date and venue of SAFF Championship 2026 finalised ● Train services of Rajshahi with other parts halted as RU students block tracks

SAARC promotes safe food and sustainable agriculture

Published : Tuesday, 21 July, 2026 at 4:43 PM

Observer correspondent

SAARC member states on Tuesday called for stronger regional cooperation to promote safe food production, improve agricultural value chains and facilitate trade across South Asia.

The call came at a three-day virtual workshop on "Safe Food Crop Production and Value Chain in South Asia", organised by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), bringing together policymakers, food safety regulators, researchers and agricultural experts from across the region.

In his opening remarks, SAC Director Dr Md Harunur Rashid highlighted the growing importance of food safety in protecting public health and strengthening regional trade. He said greater cooperation among member states is needed to address shared challenges and build resilient agri-food systems.

Dr Sikander Khan Tanveer, Senior Programme Specialist (Crops) at SAC, outlined the workshop's objectives and stressed the need for collective efforts to strengthen food safety governance across South Asia.

Presenting a regional overview, Mohan Krishna Maharjan, Senior Food Research Officer at Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, identified weak regulatory enforcement, limited laboratory capacity and poor traceability as major food safety challenges. He called for harmonised food safety standards, stronger implementation of SAFTA, modernised customs systems and mutual recognition of food safety certificates.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sri Lanka's Director General of Agriculture Dr W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi said ensuring food safety from farm to fork is essential for protecting public health, strengthening consumer confidence and expanding regional agricultural trade.

The workshop will continue until July 23, featuring 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.

MAB/SKS

Also read

Mamata ready to join CJP protest at Jantar Mantar

Rahul, Priyanka detained outside PM residence in Delhi

Amit Shah draws criticism over remarks on Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi Protests Outside PM's Residence

Comparing BIMSTEC with SAARC is misleading: Pandey

New UK government to cut tax on household electricity bills

France moves to ban social media for under-15s

Modi defends NEET leak response after Delhi protests

Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], ‍[email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296

🔝