Importance of Asia-Pacific region in global food security and issue over threat through trans-boundary diseases in crops, livestock and fisheries were highlighted by Harish Rawat, minister of state for agriculture, food processing industry and parliamentary affairs, recently.
The minister was speaking after inaugurating Expert Consultation on “Managing Trans-boundary Diseases of Agricultural Importance in Asia-Pacific.” He explained, “Climate change is a major issue and likely to impact agricultural and allied sectors giving way to challenges in the management of such diseases.”
He pointed out how this vital issue could cause severe damage to agriculture, livestock and poultry in several countries of the Asia-Pacific region thereby posing challenge to livelihood of numerous small and poor farmers. Trans-boundary diseases call for effective surveillance, monitoring, control and eradication, he added.
Rawat hoped that the outcome of the regional meeting would lead to development of a comprehensive plan for managing trans-boundary diseases of agricultural importance.
Earlier, Dr S Ayyappan, secretary, DARE, and director-general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and chairman, APAARI, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the need for policy intervention to prevent trans-boundary diseases. He hoped that the event would be a cross-learning experience with expertise from around the region.
Dr Raj Paroda, executive secretary, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), and chairman, TAAS, elaborated on the long association of APAARI with ICAR on various issues of global and regional importance. He emphasised on the need to have regional collaboration for effective management of trans-boundary diseases and hoped that a roadmap in this regard would come up for containment of such diseases during the event.
