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SAARC, IFPRI join forces to promote food security
The MoU aims to boost agricultural research, policy, and capacity building across South Asia amid climate and nutrition challenges.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 24, Sep 2025
- 15:35 EDT
- 19
Members of SAARC and IFPRI with the MoU / Courtesy: IFPRI
The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, D.C., have partnered to strengthen cooperation in food and agriculture across South Asia.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC, and Johan Swinnen, Director General of IFPRI, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of SAC, and Shahidur Rashid, IFPRI’s South Asia Director, were also present.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint work on resilient markets, sustainable food production, nutrition-sensitive food systems, food safety standards, trade, and institutional governance. It will also support research collaborations, capacity building, and policy dialogues across the region.
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“This MoU reflects strong commitment from both institutions to deliver real impact on the ground. We can build on our past collaborations and the strengths of both SAC and IFPRI to ensure our region’s farmers and communities benefit.” Sarwar said.
Md. Golam Sarwar and Johan Swinnen signing the MoU / Courtesy: IFPRISwinnen noted that the agreement comes at a critical time, as the region balances progress in productivity with challenges of climate vulnerability and widespread undernutrition.
The partnership will also focus on joint publications, projects on climate adaptation and mitigation, training programs, and regional workshops. A Joint Advisory Committee co-chaired by SAC and IFPRI directors will guide the collaboration, with annual meetings to set priorities and review progress.
Valid for three years, the MoU may be renewed with the agreement of SAARC member states.
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