The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) kicked off a three-day regional consultation meeting on “Upscaling Agroecological Practices to Develop Climate-Resilient Farming and Food Systems in South Asia” on Tuesday (14 July 2026), bringing together policymakers, development practitioners, researchers and agricultural experts from across the region to discuss opportunities and challenges in transforming South Asia’s food systems through agroecological approaches.
The program began with welcome remarks by Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of SAC, Bangladesh, who highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient agricultural systems in the face of increasing climate variability, land degradation and biodiversity loss. He emphasized that agroecology offers a sustainable pathway for improving productivity, protecting natural resources and enhancing resilience.
Following the introduction of participants, Dr. Raza Ullah Khan, Senior Program Specialist (Natural Resource Management), SAC and the meeting coordinator outlined the objectives of the meeting. He noted that scaling up agroecological practices across South Asia could contribute significantly to sustainable food production, environmental conservation and improved livelihoods, while strengthening regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Anshuman Das, Lead Expert for Agroecology and Food Systems at Welthungerhilfe India, highlighted both the prospects and challenges of integrating agroecological principles into mainstream agricultural development. He stressed that agroecology is not merely a set of farming practices but a holistic approach that strengthens biodiversity, reduces dependence on external inputs and builds resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate shocks.
Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF) at the SAARC Secretariat, Nepal, attended the event as the Special Guest. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, policy support and institutional partnerships to accelerate the adoption of agroecological practices. He noted that collective action among SAARC Member States is essential to address shared challenges related to food security, climate change and sustainable natural resource management.
As the Chief Guest, Ms. Sabnam Shivakoti, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal, and Chairperson of the Governing Body of SAC, underscored the need to integrate agroecology into national agricultural policies and development programs. She highlighted the role of innovation, farmer-centered approaches and regional knowledge sharing in building climate-resilient farming systems and ensuring long-term food and nutrition security.
