04 December2024, Bangladesh: The CABI-led ‘Feed The Future (FtF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary System (SPS) Trade Capacity Building Program’ is helping Bangladesh align its agricultural practices with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) for greater food safety and food security.
The project involves CABI’s Centre for South Asia working with local government and non-governmental organizations, as well as private sector partners, to strengthen country-level SPS assessments and technical advisory services, SPS distance learning tools and knowledge management.
Supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Food Safety for Food Security PAPA, the multi-faceted project will partner with a wide array of local government, farmer organizations, and private sector partners in Bangladesh to bring the country’s agricultural system up to par with global standards.
Addressing critical gaps in regulatory and technical capabilities
It will also strengthen Bangladesh’s agricultural sector and facilitate trade with the US and regional markets by addressing critical gaps in regulatory and technical capabilities as well as the capacity of the Government of Bangladesh in developing and implementing biopesticide regulations.
Dr Vinod Pandit, Regional Director, South Asia, said, “The program will strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Plant Protection Organization to fulfil its phytosanitary mandates under the World Trade Organization’s SPS Agreement and enhance Bangladesh’s agricultural competitiveness in international markets.”
CABI and partners, including the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), will work on the following key areas as part of the project:
Strengthening the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)
A major component of the program is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of Bangladesh’s NPPO. This involves providing specialized training to NPPO staff to improve their ability to manage phytosanitary risks effectively. By equipping the NPPO with the tools and knowledge required to meet international phytosanitary standards and minimize unnecessary barriers to trade.
Advancing biopesticide regulations
As global markets increasingly demand safer and more sustainable pest control options, aligning Bangladesh’s regulatory framework with international standards for biopesticides will help farmers add new and effective tools to combat damaging pests.
Improving compliance with global SPS standards
To facilitate greater integration into global trade, CABI’s program emphasizes aligning Bangladesh’s agricultural practices with internationally recognized SPS measures and improved compliance with ISPMs and opening new markets for Bangladeshi agricultural products and minimize unnecessary barriers to trade.
Looking ahead: A future of opportunities
Enhanced skills within the NPPO, advanced biopesticide regulations, and improved alignment with global standards will collectively lead to increased two-way trade, higher farmer incomes, and a more resilient agricultural sector.
Moreover, this initiative will enable Bangladesh to better meet the expectations of international markets. These efforts will not only benefit local farmers and businesses but also position Bangladesh as a reliable supplier in the global agricultural market.
Multifaceted project
The multifaceted project is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
It is being delivered through the Food Safety for Food Security US Government (USG) interagency partnership that provides science-based support to strengthen animal and plant health and food safety measures, otherwise known as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulatory systems in Feed the Future (FTF) countries.
Back in 2023, CABI, as part of its work under the globalPlantwisePlus programme, joined forces with a range of partners to deliver a consumer food safety workshop ahead of a survey to assess food safety practices in Bangladesh.
CABI joined colleagues, from the Department of Agriculture and Extension (DAE), Plant Quarantine Wing (PQW), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) and Development Technical Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (DTCL), for the two-day event.
Fifteen enumerators were trained on how to survey consumers, farmers and traders in eight provinces, 11 districts and 15 Upazillas regarding issues of food safety that have been preventing Bangladesh from competing in international markets.
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