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Regional Consultative Workshop on SAARC Pesticide Information Sharing Network (SPINet), (Sri Lanka, June 30-1 July 2011)

August 3, 2011

A Regional Consultative Workshop on SAARC Pesticide Information Sharing Network (SPINet) was organised by the SAARC Agriculture Centre on 30 June-1 July 2011 at In-service Training Institute, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.  Seven Focal Point Scientists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the Workshop.The Workshop was organised in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka to discuss the matters pertaining to pesticides and their use in the Regional Countries. The objectives of the consultation were to:

1. go beyond conventional form of  information collection and sharing i.e., printed Proceedings,  by developing a web-based information sharing system for rapid collection, retrieval , sharing and update of vital information on pesticides;
2. compile details on pesticides in use, mode of action, their chemical nature, recommended uses, application details and restrictions, pattern and trends of pesticide use, pesticide evaluation for their efficacy, records of health and environmental incidents, pest out breaks, pest-resistance;
3. compile on pest management options (both chemical and non chemical), success stories in the Regional countries; and
4. provide a common Regional platform for sharing of work specifically on evaluation, registration and residue analysis of pesticides

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Sri Lanka was the chief guest of the Inaugural session of the workshop. Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Director General of Agriculture, Dean,  Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and  Director SAARC Agriculture Center, were among the distinguish gathering graced the occasion.

Aparts from Scientists, about 30 local participants representing public, private and academic Institutions also participated in the Workshop. During the two days consultation country compilations were discussed at length and consensus was reached for future activities under three themes i.e., Collaborative activities, Knowledge and work sharing and operational  modalities for network. Some of the recommendations drawn and agreed by the participants under each theme are given below.

Collaborative Activities:

1. Establish Robust Pesticides Surveillance and Monitoring Network across SAARC countries through SAARC coordinated projects
2. Undertake common research project(s) for solving common problems related to pesticides (e.g., pesticides residue studies) and pests (Pest resistance)

Knowledge/work Sharing:

1. Organize comprehensive training programs for the Pesticides Spray Operators, Spray Applicators, Pesticides handlers on safety measures and occupational hazards
2. Observe a common “No Pesticides Day (3 December)” in all SAARC countries
3. Development of Regional IPM Collaborative
4. Development of harmonized Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for SAARC countries
5. Awareness building effective materials (e.g., Video, DVD, CD developed on pesticide safety campaign, education)
6. Rapid pesticide detection kits or Biosensors developed by any SAARC country
7. Effective traps, predators, parasitoids, parasites available in any SAARC country

Operational modalities

1. Web based information sharing, each country administrator (Focal Point) will be given password, who will update information
2. Ensure through agreements free access and linking to Website of any SAARC country
3. SAC/SPINet Administrator may collate some useful information and after getting approval may upload