Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), a New Delhi-based think-tank, in collaboration with Pondicherry University and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is organising a two-day capacity-building programme from 17-18 February, 2023 in Hotel Accord, Puducherry to acquaint young researchers and policy analysts in the areas of agricultural trade. The capacity-building programme is attended by nearly 30 scholars from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the BIMSTEC region. The programme aims at highlighting the contemporary challenges in the global, regional and local agriculture sectors with emphasis on the practical training sessions.

The inaugural session was attended by various dignitaries including, Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Professor Gurmeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University, Professor V. Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, Dr Mamata Pradhan, IFPRI, Professor S.K. Mohanty and Dr Pankhuri Gaur, RIS.

Dr Pradhan, in her welcome remarks, emphasised on the collaborative research, capacity partnership and policy engagement as the main pillar for this capacity building programme. The inaugural address by Prof. Geethalakshmi raised the issue of climate change in agriculture sector and how trade can help in adopting climate-smart agriculture.

Ambassador Tandon highlighted the importance of trade facilitation and investment to boost the agriculture trade in the BIMSTEC region. He added, “BIMSTEC is a read-made machinery for policy action at the regional level”. Prof. Gurmeet Singh expressed his views on the global agriculture scenario and India’s role in the world economy through G20.

Prof. S.K. Mohanty, RIS, New Delhi, in his special remarks, emphasized that the rise of middle-income groups in several developing countries is posing the issue of nutritional challenges, in addition to the challenges of livelihood security amidst trade surplus. The dignitaries also released a book on “BIMSTEC: Mapping Sub-Regionalism in Asia”. The inaugural session concluded with vote of thanks by Dr Pankhuri Gaur, RIS.

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AP / DL

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