SAARC regional workshop on agroecology begins in Thimphu
The inaugural session of the SAARC regional workshop titled "Promoting Agroecological Approaches for Sustainable Transformation of Agri-food Systems in South Asia" was held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Thimphu, Bhutan.
The three-day workshop has been jointly organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan, and Welthungerhilfe. This initiative aims to assess the current state of agroecological policies, programs, and practices across South Asia and chart a pathway for the broader adoption of these approaches in SAARC member countries.
Delegates and experts from five SAARC nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—are attending the event, alongside a host of national and international speakers, panelists, academics, and professionals in the fields of agriculture and environmental sciences.
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Thinley Namgyel, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD and SDF) at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, and Yonten Gyamtsho, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Bhutan, were present as Guests of Honour.
The inaugural session was chaired by Dr Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), and was attended by approximately 65 participants representing various institutions and governments from the SAARC region.
The workshop aims to conclude with policy recommendations and action plans that will accelerate the agroecological transformation of agri-food systems in South Asia, fostering more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices across the region.
