SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) with the technical support of Quality Council of India (QCI), organized the SAARC regional training on “Certification process and traceability of GAP for fruits and vegetables” via Zoom Video Conferencing Platform during 24-25 May 2021. The aims of the training  were to strengthen the implantation capacity of SAARC GAP in SAARC Member States by providing clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the Scheme Owner (SO), Certification Bodies (CBs) and Farmer (s)/ Producer Organizations (FPOs); develop understanding capacity of the certification process of GAP  to both CBs and Farmer/Producer Organizations; and  to assess the status of GAP implantation in SAARC Member Countries for formulate a work plan to way forward based on the recommendation made by the participants.

Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Member of Parliament and the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Dasho Rinzin Dorji, Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan and Dr. S.K Malhotra, Commissioner of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India joined the inaugural session as the Special Guests. Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, Director, SAC Chaired the inaugural session and Dr. Nasreen Sultana, Senior Program Specialist (Horticulture), SAC coordinated the whole training programme. Detailed report