A three days (18-20 November, 2024) Regional consultation meeting was conducted by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) in virtual mode on “Enhancing Oilseed Crops Productivity in the SAARC Members States”. It was approved by the 15th meeting of SAC Governing Board and the 59th meeting of Programming Committee, of SAARC.
Focal points of different SAARC Members States including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and scientists of different research organizations and as well as universities of different SAARC Member States participated in this meeting.
Dr. Md. Mahmudur Rahman, Additional Secretary (PPC)Ministry of Agriculture Bangladesh & G.B Member SAARC Agriculture Centre was the Chief guest. Dr Nazmun Nahar Karim, Executive Chairman Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), was the Special guest, while Mr Jamalud Din Ahmad, Director (ARD & SDF), SAARC Secretariat Nepal was the Guest of Honor of inauguration of this meeting three days meeting. Dr Md. Harunur Rashid, Director SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) welcomed the participants, while Dr Sikander Khan Tanveer, Senior Program Specialist (Crops), SAARC Agriculture Centre gave a presentation about the purpose of arranging this meeting.
Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali Anjum, Former Member Plant Sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) & Former Director General Agriculture Extension & Adaptive Research Punjab Pakistan was the Key Note Speaker and he gave a detailed presentation on oilseed crops and gave suggestions for the productivity enhancement of all oilseed crops that how, Oilseed crops productivity can be increased in the SAARC Member States.
Focal points of the SAARC Member States gave their detailed presentations on the status of production of different oilseed crops in their respective states. In addition to the Focal points presentations there were also fifteen presentations by the eminent scientists of the SAARC Member States on the different oilseed crops, including Canola, Rapeseed, Mustard, Sunflower, Soybean, Sesame, Oil Palm, Olive, Castor bean, Groundnut, Coconut and Industrial Oilseed crops (Jojoba, Jatropha Curcas, Pongamia Pinnata L. & Ricinus Cummunis). There were also presentations on role of Private seed sector in seed availability of Oilseed crops and similarly on the use and availability of different types of machinery.
At the end all the aspects were discussed for the productivity enhancement of oilseed crops including, research and development, policies of the government, seed availability, machinery and marketing etc. It was concluded that there is a lot of potential for increasing the productivity of all oilseed crops in this region. There is need of minimization of yield gaps, which is possible by using the seed of latest varieties of all oilseed crops, adaption of latest crop management practices, better processing and marketing etc. Exchange of seed of different oilseed crops varieties with in the SAARC Members States can also play pivotal role in the productivity enhancement of all oilseed crops.
