The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has extended support to Bangladesh for the country’s better and safer use of pesticides.

In this regard, the FAO has officially handed over its recommendations on pesticide rules to the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture in a workshop on Tuesday (February 27).

The organisation suggested updating the Pesticide Rules under the Pesticide Act of 2018 to incorporate best international legal practices into the regulations.

Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) participated in the workshop on collaboration in the relevant components of the projects.

Saso Martinov, senior technical advisor, FAO Bangladesh and Dr Fahmida Khanom, additional secretary, MoEFCC participated in the event that was chaired by Ashraf Uddin, director, Plant Protection Wing, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

This collaborative effort has taken to prioritising public health and environmental protection, according to a press release of FAO.

The initiative was taken under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) project that is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), it said.

Saso Martinov, Senior Technical Advisor, FAO said, “This is an important step in managing pesticides that are used in agriculture in Bangladesh.”

“FAO team has handed over its recommendations on the pesticide rules on the day and will continue to support the Bangladesh government in its efforts to reduce the risks of pesticides following FAO’s 4 Betters including a better life and a better environment.”

BDST: 1348 HRS, FEB 28, 2024
MN/SMS