Date:31/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/31/stories/2005033101530900.htm

Back South Asia agriculture meet for free trade regional bloc

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , March 30

THE South Asia Regional Conference (SARC) of International Association of Agricultural Economists has recommended, among other things, formation of a South Asia free trade regional bloc (SAFTRB) and establishment of a South Asia free technology testing and sharing centre (SAFTTSC).

The three-day conference, held here last week, pointed out that the South Asian countries would not be able to compete with developed countries with regard to many agricultural commodities.

Hence, SAFTRB should be formed for select commodities so that both the importer as well the exporter would have comparative advantage.

Similarly, SAFTTSC should be set up for cooperation in research and development activities.

Stating that the farming community and the rural poor in the region were losers following globalisation, the conference recommended an increase in public investment in the agricultural sector, protection of domestic producers and consumers of farm products through tariff rates, integration of small farmers with industry through contract farming, encouragement of value-added agricultural activities, regulation of retail markets and development of sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.

The SARC Convenor, Dr Aldas Janaiah, and the Director of Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Prof S. Mahendra Dev, stated that about 200 delegates from 10 countries took part in the conference.