Consultation Workshop on Promoting Regional Cooperation for a Food-Secure, Climate-Resilient South Asia

A regional consultation workshop on the “Conservation, Use and Exchange of Crop Genetic Resources: Promoting Regional Cooperation for a Food-Secure, Climate-Resilient South Asia” was held in August 2015, in Kathmandu, Nepal. The main objective of the consultation was to bring together experts, policymakers, private sector representatives, academic researchers and other relevant stakeholders in the field to discuss issues related to conservation, use and exchange of crop genetic resources in the region. The workshop was jointly organized by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal and Fridtjof Nansens Institute (FNI), Norway.

IPS Research Economist, Manoj Thibbotuwawa made a presentation on “SAARC Seed Bank: Opportunities and Challenges” in the session on “Responding to Food Insecurity: Role of Global, Regional and National Gene Banks” where he highlighted the importance of making the proposed SAARC Seed Bank more progressive, proactive, farmer-friendly and transparent for ensuring  long term climate adaptation and food security. He further emphasized that the SAARC Seed Bank should not be a substitute for the existing community seed banks and local seed systems in the region, but rather a complement for those.

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Responding to Food Insecurity: Role of Global, Regional and National Gene Banks 

Manoj Thibbotuwawa