The council of advisers at a meeting on March 17 approved a proposal for the establishment of a regional food reserve, SAARC Food Bank, to meet the growing challenge food and nutrition security of more than 150 crore people of the region. The SAARC council of ministers during the pre-summit meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is likely to sign the deal to finalise the establishment of the food bank. The meeting of the SAARC council of ministers is scheduled for April 2 in New Delhi in India.

The food bank will come in aid to the member states to meet the emergency situation during unexpected shortage of food because of natural calamities or any other reasons. On SAARC foreign ministers approval, the food bank will start initially with 241,580 tonnes of grain, which would be gradually increased.

Bangladesh committed a contribution of 40,000 tonnes of food grain to the bank. According to the proposal, India will contribute the highest 153, 200 tonnes of grains, Pakistan 40,000 tonnes, Sri Lanka and Nepal 4,000 tonnes each, the Maldives 200 tonnes and Bhutan 180 tonnes. The SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu will play the role of the secretariat of the food bank until it establishes an independent secretariat.