Call to protect food security

Ubinig, an NGO, organised the convention at Osmani Memorial Auditorium as a member of the Asia Pacific Research Network.

At the first session, the speakers said agrarian system of many poor countries is losing their identity due intervention of some industrialised countries.

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Farhad Mazhar of Ubinig said indigenous agrarian system of many poor countries is now under threat as some developed countries are forcing the government of poor countries to use high-yield varieties.

"Productivity of many local varieties is much higher than that of so-called modern varieties," he said.

Sarojeni Rengam of Pesticide Action Network Asia & the Pacific, Malaysia, emphasised the need for ensuring food security.

She said conservation of bio-diversity should be given priority while increasing food production.

About 180 delegates from different countries, including Argentina, China, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Philippines and the USA, joined the convention along with Bangladeshi participants.

The outcome of the convention would be placed at the ministerial level meeting of World Trade Organisation, which is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong next year and at World Food Summit conference in 2006.