saarcagri - Introduction

Welcome to SAARC Agriculture Centre

The SAARC Agriculture Centre, which is located at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) complex, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the first regional centre of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). SAARC consists of eight countries, namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Centre was established on 8 December 1985 with the aim of accelerating the process of economic and social development among Member Countries through joint action in the agreed areas of cooperation. It started functioning from 1989.

VISION

Farmers in the South Asian region are empowered and adapted to more knowledge-based agriculture.

MISSION

To provide timely, relevant and universal access to information and knowledge resources to all the agricultural practitioners of the SAARC Member Countries to achieve their respective goals through networking agricultural knowledge and information systems by adopting the appropriate information and communication technologies, management practices and standards.

Goal

Goal of the Centre would be to promote agricultural Research and Development (R&D) as well as technology dissemination initiatives for sustainable agricultural development and poverty reduction in the Region.

OBJECTIVE

1.To strengthen agricultural research and accelerate technology transfer through establishing regional networks on agricultural and allied disciplines, particularly among agricultural research and extension centers, professionals, policy advisers and stakeholders.
2.To provide inputs for developing regional policies, strategies and programmes, primarily through developing networks in the crop, livestock and fisheries sectors; and for efficient utilization/management of soil, water and other resources.
3.To promote new and innovative techniques and systems in agriculture including production, post-harvest and food processing.
4.To facilitate collaborative studies, inter alia, on agricultural marketing and distribution systems, harmonization of agricultural related standards, promotion of agricultural trade, food security, risks and disaster management in agriculture.
5.To facilitate and undertake collaborative capacity building programmes in agriculture and allied sectors with focus on skill development and research in frontier areas.
6.To collate and disseminate information for agricultural advancement in the region.

Establishment of SAC

South Asia is home to 1387.8 (2002) million people with almost 30% of them live below poverty line (SAARC RPP 2004). Agriculture is the main source of livelihoods for the majority of these people. To achieve socio-economic advancement and collective self-reliance, there is vast scope for regional economic cooperation among countries of South Asia as they share common problems and experiences while physically united by the same geographical boundaries and historical ties. The regional cooperation among these countries would not only lead to rapid economic development but also strengthen their mutual relations and exchange of technologies. It was in keeping with the above objectives that SAARC Agriculture Centre was established in 1985 for the promotion of cooperation in the field of agriculture among the member countries and it started functioning from 1989.

Administrative set up of SAC

SAARC Agriculture Centre is functioning under the following administrative set-up:

The Director, Professionala and General Service Staff

The Director is the Executive Head and is responsible for administration, finance, planning and implementation of activities. The Director oversees the functions of the professionals, administration, finance and general service staff. The Director also acts as the Member-Secretary of the Governing Board of SAARC Agriculture Centre.
The professionals are recruited from SAARC member countries through open competition. The Deputy Directors and Specialists perform the professional duties in their respective fields, particularly the implementation of programmes. The GSS, appointed from among the nationals of the host country provide support services in implementing the programmes of the Centre.

The Programme Divisions

Currently, there are four approved programme divisions. These divisions, headed by professionals, are responsible for the implementation of the approved annual programmes. In addition to these divisions, there are the Finance and Support Services Sections. These sections function under the direct supervision of the Director and are responsible for providing financial and support services to the Centre.