The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a South Asian Regional Workshop yesterday called for diffusion of innovation on agricultural technologies among the South Asian countries for sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.

They said that the South Asian nations could ensure food security if they disseminate agriculture related information and share technology properly.

Speakers made their remark at inaugural function of the five day long workshop on 'Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sovereignty' at Hotel Best Western La Vinchi in the city. Agricultural experts from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and host Bangladesh are participating in the five-day long workshop. The Sushasoner Jonny Procharavizan (SJP), a local non-government organisation organised the workshop. Dr M A Assaduzzaman, Research Director of BIDS said that we have been able to solve the food crisis through the adaptation of modern technology on agriculture.

"None of the countries develop themselves without agriculture.

For the reason, we have to engage the WB and IMF for our own purposes," he said.

He also emphasised on the dissemination of information to increase agriculture production among the South Asian countries. Dr Abdur Razzaque, former Executive Director of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council said that it is not possible to ensure food sovereignty among the South Asian countries without people to people contacts on the agricultural knowledge.

"We must develop our knowledge and skill to increase food production through the innovation of cost reduction technology in agriculture," he said.

He emphasised on the agricultural research for reducing the production cost in agriculture. "It must be needed to transfer technology among the south Asian countries farmers to ensure food sovereignty," he pointed out.

WF Priyankara Costa, an agriculture expert of Sri Lanka said that the government of Sri Lanka has taken the decision on agriculture related issues on the favour of multinational companies.

He said that we have conducted our activities for adopting farmer friendly policy in favour of us.

Qamar-Mohy-Ud-Din of Pakistan said that the experts of the Pakistan have worked hard to reduce the cost of agro-production through using technology.

Ujjani Halim, an expert from India said that the government has yet taken their agricultural policy on behalf of multinational companies.

He said that the government has raised their voice on behalf of farmers. "But, they have taken their policy against farmers," he alleged.

Morshed Ali, President of Krishak Samity of Bangladesh said that the country has no sustainable agriculture policy during last 37 year.

"The government policy weaken Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation," he said, adding, "The so called aid institutions have destroyed our economy in the name of helping."

Saiful Islam, General Secretary of Bangladesh Land Labour Union said that the autocratic, anti-democratic actors of the global arena have tried to destroy the self-production capacity of the South Asian country. He called upon the ill power to resist the actor.

"The government has permitted the private entrepreneurs to build industries by destroying the cultivable lands."