In a significant move towards sustainable agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture has formed a 19-member expert committee to formulate a new pesticide policy for the country. The committee, headed by the Agriculture Secretary as convener and the Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) as member secretary, aims to create an integrated policy guideline for safe food production and sustainable agriculture development. The panel includes senior officials from various ministries and research institutions, along with academic experts and representatives from professional bodies.
The committee's mandate is to review the existing Pesticides Act, 2018, and related regulations to develop a combined policy guideline within the next three months. Their terms of reference include analyzing current pesticide management issues, recommending necessary reforms, and co-opting additional experts if needed. The policy will focus on the scientific, limited, and environment-friendly use of pesticides to protect soil, water, the environment, biodiversity, and public health.
The formation of this committee underscores the urgency for effective pesticide management in Bangladesh. An integrated policy is expected to play a crucial role in developing a sustainable agriculture system and ensuring the production of safe agro-commodities. By resisting the haphazard use of pesticides, the new policy aims to enhance food safety and environmental protection.
Members of the committee include the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and senior officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Department of Environment, DAE, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). The committee also comprises two professors from Dhaka University and City University, and representatives from the Bangladesh Institution of Food Professionals and Bangladesh Crop Protection Association.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that a time-befitting pesticide policy is crucial for making pesticide use more scientific, limited, and environment-friendly. The recommendations from this expert committee are expected to bring about effective policy reforms in pesticide management, contributing to the overall goal of sustainable agriculture and safe food production in Bangladesh.
