• 28 Oct, 2023
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Kandy, Sri Lanka, 27th October 2023:  The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) and International Food and Policy Research (IFPRI) jointly organized the first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the ‘Consortiu m for Scaling-up Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia (C-SUCSeS)’ project on 27th October 2023 at Kandy in Sri Lanka. The meeting brought together a high-level delegation from SAARC member states of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

The inaugural session was graced by the Honorable Agriculture Minister of Sri Lanka Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, who launched the ‘Network of Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia: Community of Practice (CoP)’ and six books on ‘Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies and Practices’ produced by the SAARC member states. Videos on two successful CSA case studies based on intercropping and direct seeded rice technology from India and Nepal were also unveiled during the session. Among others, the inaugural session was also addressed by the Director General of Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka, Ms. P. Malathy; Director, SAC & SDF, SAARC Secretariat, Mr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed; Dr. Mamata Pradhan, Research Coordinator IFPRI and Director, Natural Resources Management Centre in Sri Lanka, Dr Upul Rathnayake.

The Hon’ble Minister highly appreciated the contributions of the project in building climate-resilient farming communities in South Asia to further sustainable agricultural production. He said, ‘Climate-smart agriculture is a collective effort and we need the involvement of all stakeholders from farmers and agricultural associations to researchers, policymakers, and international organizations. Together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.’ He opined that the network of CSA will pave the way to share and exchange knowledge, establish collaboration and communication, build professional capacity, and explore innovative ideas on CSA to combat climate change impact.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council, and Co-Chaired by Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, Director, SAARC Agriculture Centre. The PSC Meeting played a pivotal role in overseeing and guiding the implementation of the project. Presentations of the progress, challenges, and learning related to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies, policies, participatory research, case studies, best practices, and knowledge management of the C-SUCSeS project were made in the meeting.

Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain said “C-SUCSeS Project is a pioneering initiative aimed at scaling up climate-smart agriculture practices in South Asian countries. He also added that the project places great importance on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation. In this spirit, the project is proud to introduce an online network that will serve as a platform for stakeholders, experts, and enthusiasts to share knowledge, research, and experiences related to climate-smart agriculture.”

Director General of Agriculture in Sri Lanka, Ms. P. Malathy added “We must continuously seek new and improved practices, ones that not only reduce our environmental impact but also increase our agricultural yields and enhance the well-being of our farming communities. This is the essence of the C-SUCSeS Project.”

Director, SAC & SDF, SAARC Secretariat, Mr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed commented that “the event is a testament to the commitment of SAARC Leaders to promote CSA technologies in South Asia. This multi-country project is the first of its kind in the region, coming at a time when climate change has emerged as a significant threat to the agricultural landscape.”

Research Coordinator, IFPRI, Dr. Mamata Pradhan said, “CSA as an approach is not entirely new. Over the years our farmers have been sharing their CSA insights as they adapted to changing weather patterns. But there is a need to develop and scale-up resilience and adaptability when it comes to environment and climate change for the countries in this region to ensure achievement of food and livelihood security.”

The Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting is an annual event within the C-SUCSeS project framework that plays a pivotal role in overseeing and guiding the implementation of the project. Notably, due to unforeseen circumstances, the SAC was unable to host the PSC Meeting in 2021 and 2022. So, this meeting had a great significance to formulation strategies and guidelines. The meeting  conducted an extensive review of the project’s progress, examining the achievements and milestones reached since its inception. This assessment provided valuable insights into the project’s strengths and areas w

here improvements were needed. In response to the issues and challenges identified during the review, the PSC formulated policies and strategies to address them effectively.

One of the significant outcomes of the PSC  meeting was the approval of the annual work plan, which will guide the project’s activities for the upcoming year. This work plan incorporated the collective wisdom of the committee members, taking into account their expertise and insights. It provided a clear roadmap for the C-SUCSeS project, outlining specific targets, timelines, and resource allocations to help the project stay on track towards its goals.

The PSC meeting served as a crucial platform for steering the project in the right direction, ensuring that it remains responsive to the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities within the realm of Climate-Smart Agriculture in the South Asian region. It underscored the commitment of the participating nations to collectively address agricultural sustainability and climate resilience, demonstrating the power of collaboration in tackling complex, global issues.