Climate change: India for SAARC cooperation on agriculture

DHAKA | NEW DELHI: South Asia is one of the most sensitive regions with regard to impact of climate change, India said today and called for SAARC countries to cooperate in addressing its impact on the farm sector.

India also said farmers in the region are fighting against economic disparity and instability, and SAARC countries should work jointly for the betterment of farmers and agriculture sector.

Addressing the third meeting of agriculture ministers of SAARC countries, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said, "Climate change is a real episode. Most likely, it can inflict tremendous losses in a number of cases."

South Asia is one of the most sensitive regions to the consequences of climate change and therefore "we are required to work together to find out the pests and diseases which are affecting crops and animals", he said in a statement.

Highlighting the achievements of green revolution in India, the minister said although farm yields have risen, there are still many more challenges.

These challenges are: deficiency of nutrients in soil, problem of weeds, enhancement of diseases and pests, soil absorbed with sodium, degradation of ground water level among others, he added.

Singh stressed for formulation of "better communication network" in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region for providing information related to the sophisticated agri-techniques, products, methods and related services to farmers so as to enable them to control farming adaptable to the environment in near future.

He pitched for stable research and development work in agricultural sector through mutual cooperation besides raising investment in research to achieve food security in future.

SAARC nations comprise of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.