The Hindu Business Line : Call for setting up S. Asian Genome Advisory Board

Dr M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, with the delegates from Bhutan at the roundtable meeting of the South Asia Regional Conference of International Association of Agricultural Economists in Hyderabad on Friday. — A. Roy Chowdhury

Hyderabad , March 25

A ROUNDTABLE meeting of South Asian Agriculture Ministers and policy makers has resolved to work for technology sharing to improve productivity of predominantly small land holdings in the region.

It also called for efforts to reduce marketing costs and increase capacity of farmers to access markets.

Summing up the deliberations at the roundtable on `Prospects for South Asia Free Trade and Cooperation in agriculture', Dr Suresh Babu, Programme Leader of IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute), said the importance of providing access to international markets was also recognised.

The meeting also felt that it was important to protect vulnerable sections by providing safety net and pull people from below poverty line. The other suggestion was on the importance of building capacities in the region to prepare farmers compete internationally.

Dr M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, called for setting up of South Asian Genome Advisory Board to facilitate exchange of genetic resources and a Land Use Advisory Board to promote land use based market opportunities.

He also stressed on sharing of expertise in disaster management.

Mr P. Chengal Reddy of Federation of Farmers' Federation (AP) wanted a bottom-up approach to make agricultural sector face the challenges posed by globalisation. The Government should allow us to forge alliances with industry, both domestic and international.

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Call for setting up S. Asian Genome Advisory Board