Dates: 8th and 9th December 2024
Venue: Seminar Room, Entomology Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Time: 10:00 AM BDT

The workshops were held on two consecutive days addressing the  critical aspects of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Information Management System (SPS IMS) and biopesticides, focusing on trade facilitation, environmental sustainability, and market access. Organized with participation from government officials, academia, researchers, private sector stakeholders and farmers, the events highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing regulatory challenges and promoting innovative solutions for agricultural trade and sustainability.

Day 1: Workshop on SPS IMS

The first day centered on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Information Management System (SPS IMS), which serves as a platform for improving market access and fostering scientific learning.

Key Highlights

1. Introduction to SPS IMS Web Portal

• APAARI gave an introduction to the SPS IMS web portal emphasizing its role in accessing the information to SPS regulations, Export/Import guideline, and trade facilitation Participants provided feedback on usability, accessibility, and relevance for stakeholders.

3. Integration with National and International Systems

• Suggestions were made to link the SPS IMS portal with the Ministry of Commerce’s Bangladesh Trade Portal, supported by the World Bank’s BRCP1 project.

4. Private Sector and Exporter Engagement

• Discussions included pesticide residues, trade barriers, and export challenges. Key recommendations were:
  • Export/Import guidelines
  • Reexport registration guidelines and procedure
  • List of banned pesticides can be provided

4. Academia’s Role and Portal Enhancements

• Representatives from BARI, BRRI, SAU, and BSMRAU explored opportunities for research, policy alignment, and portal improvements.
• Suggestions included pest alerts, training materials, and interactive features to enhance user engagement.

The day concluded with actionable insights into strengthening trade capacities and fostering a robust regulatory framework for SPS measures.

Day 2: Workshop on Biopesticides

The second day focused on biopesticides as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides, addressing their development, regulation, and adoption.

Key Highlights

1. Opening Remarks

• APAARI and other senior officials emphasized the environmental and trade benefits of biopesticides.

2. Research and Innovation

• Present status on local isolates (Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana), pheromone-based solutions, and advancements in biopesticide technologies were shared.
• Stakeholders noted a decline in chemical pesticide use and a rise in pheromone lure applications.

3. Regulatory and Market Challenges

• Private companies like Russell IPM, Ispahani Agro, and Apex Biofertilizers discussed hurdles in registration processes and scaling production.
• Recommendations included revising registration policies to allow local strain inclusion and streamlining approval protocols.

4. Extension and Collaboration

• BRRI and development partners stressed environmentally friendly alternatives for rice and called for international collaboration.
• A proposal to create a Community of Practice on biopesticides specific to Bangladesh was welcomed.

5. Awareness and Training

• Farmers and exporters emphasized the need for training on pesticide-free vegetable production, harvesting techniques, and export readiness.

Conclusion and Way Forward

The two-day workshops underscored the shared vision of promoting SPS IMS web portal, improving trade capacities, and addressing regulatory gaps. Key action points included:

• Strengthening the SPS IMS portal for better accessibility with focus on using it as a learning platform.
• Enhancing biopesticide adoption through collaborative research, streamlined registration, and capacity-building initiatives.
• APAARI’s leadership in fostering collaboration by facilitating these discussions for establishment of a Community of Practice (CoP) for biopesticides in Bangladesh.

 Key Speakers:

Dr. K S Varaprasad, APAARI, Thailand
Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director, APAARI
Dr. Nirmal Kumar Dutta, CSO & Head, Entomology Division, BARI
Dr. Mohammad Ataur Rahman, Director (T & C), BARI
Dr. Munshi Rashid Ahmad, Director (Research), BARI, Chief guist for day 1
Mr. S.M.Suhrab Uddin, Director DAE, Chief Guest for day 2
Dr. Md. Dalower Hossain Prodhan, Entamalogy Division, BARI
Dr. Md. Kafiluddin, Entamalogy Division, BARI
Dr. Malvika Chaudhary , CABI
Dr. Manju Thakur, CABI
Micheal J Parr, Land-o-lakes, USA
Dr. Ahsan Ullah, APAARI, Bangladesh
Dr. Md Asadullah, APAARI, Bangladesh

About Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)

APAARI, established by FAO in 1990, is a membership-based organization promoting agricultural research and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region. It unites National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), international research centres, universities, NGOs, and the private sector, with 80 member organizations, including 22 core member countries. APAARI’s mission is to strengthen agri-food research systems through partnerships, capacity building, and advocacy for sustainable agriculture. Its work focuses on four themes: Natural Resource Management, Risk Mitigation, Inclusive Development, and Policy Advocacy. The current conference aligns with these themes, emphasizing plant health research and management.

About Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)

BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) is the largest multi- crop research institute conducting research on a wide variety of crops, such as cereals, tubers, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, spices, flowers, etc. Besides variety development, this institute carries out research on such areas as soil and crop management, disease and insect management, water management and irrigation, development of farm machinery, improvement of cropping and farming system management, post-harvest handling and processing, and socio-economic studies related to production, processing, marketing and consumption. Since inception, BARI has been successfully contributing agricultural production by evolving technologies that are suitable for the country’s climate and appropriate for the farmer’s condition.  BARI has so far developed a total of 1345 technologies of which 673 are improved crop varieties (commodity) and 672 technologies on different non-commodity areas