Mumbai: Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has called for setting up the proposed `SAARC Regional Food Bank'' on a priority basis, saying it could act as an "instrument" in providing food security to the entire region and fostering partnership among member countries.

Addressing the first SAARC agricultural ministers'' meeting, Pawar said the plan to set up a Food Bank is the "most important item" on the agenda of the meet. He said the concept papers have been discussed and it could be set up soon.

"The Bank is expected to act as an instrument for food security reserve during normal times and surely the emergencies. It will also foster inter-country partnership and regional cooperation," he said.

Pawar also called for streamlining agricultural credit facilities on the lines of the "path-breaking initiatives" taken by Bangladesh''s Gramin Bank on a regional scale.

He also offered to share India''s expertise in the field of agriculture with other SAARC nations.

India, he said, has made important achievements in areas such as the revitalised extension system, marketing reforms, application of frontier technology, horticulture and agro-processing.

Pawar said there was need for operationalising of the SAARC Development Fund, for which India has committed to provide $100 million. "The fund could be utilised for undertaking a number of collaborative projects in agricultural sector," he said.

The meeting finalised the concept paper for negotiations and for arriving at an agreement on agricultural co-operation. An agreement is expected to be concluded before the next summit in April 2007.

The meeting also identified areas of focus for effective research-farmer linkages both at the national and regional levels. Setting up of an inter-governmental core group, online discussion groups have also been suggested to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders, including private sector practitioners.

The meeting also decided to expand the mandate of the SAARC agricultural information center (SAIC), Dhaka.