Agriculture experts have stressed the need for sharing evidence-based agriculture learning and practices among South Asian countries to empower smallholder farmers, who are at the forefront of climate change.

The evidence-based agriculture learning and practices should be exchanged among the farmers in South Asian countries as they are the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, the experts told a high-level policy meeting.

The two-day ‘High-Level Policy Forum on South Asia’s Agricultural Future: Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Sustainable Growth’ was held from 14 to 15 November in the Maldives, according to a message received here on Saturday.

The event was organised by the Consortium for Scaling-up Climate-Smart Agriculture in South Asia (C-SUCSeS), a joint initiative between the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and SAARC Development Fund (SDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Republic of Maldives.

The event brought together researchers, technical experts, agriculture and extension officers, policymakers and farmers from SAARC member states, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The forum’s key objective was to support the scaling up of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and food security across the region.

In an effort to promote the uptake of CSA practices, the C-SUCSeS project introduced comprehensive training modules, video modules, and materials on 10 key CSA technologies, as part of the project activities. These resources were developed with inputs from national focal points and regional experts from across the region and were validated by stakeholders during a workshop hosted by the SAC, IFPRI, and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) earlier this year.

The training modules, including farmer’s guides and facilitator manuals, were officially launched by Dr Aishath Rameela, the Agriculture and Animal Welfare minister of Maldives, during the event.

Dr Rameela graced the event as the chief guest for the inauguration ceremony.

In her address, Dr Rameela highlighted the importance of cross-country collaboration in addressing the climate impacts on agriculture.

“This high-level policy forum offers a unique platform to align our strategies and policies for the future of climate-smart agriculture across South Asia. By working together, we aim to build a resilient agricultural sector that adapts to changing climate, ensures food security, and creates economic opportunities for our people,” she said.

She further emphasised the need for shared learning and evidence-based practices to empower smallholder farmers, who are the most vulnerable to climate change impacts.