ICAR is engaged in a research program on “Consortium for Scaling-Up Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in South Asia (C-SUCSeS)”. The focus of the program is to sustainably increase production and productivity and also to enhance food security, nutrition and income generation in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. The program also focuses on bringing together agricultural research centres and extension agencies in the SAARC region to develop and share knowledge on climate smart technologies and best practices.

The South Asian governments have, agreed to consider the concept of a regional seed bank, regional testing and certification of seeds and a framework for transfer of plant genetic material and seeds.

India has cooperation with SAARC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). For capacity development of SAARC countries, regional training programmes are organized jointly by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and SAARC.

Government has agreed to increase investment, promote research and development, facilitate technical cooperation and apply innovative, appropriate and reliable technologies in the agricultural sector for enhancing productivity to ensure food and nutritional security in the South Asian Region.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha Today.

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