As per the reconstituted SAARC Integrated Programme of Action (SIPA), the two Technical Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development were merged into one as the Technical Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. The reconstituted Committee under the chairmanship of Nepal started functioning in 2000 and held two meetings.

Following adoption of the Regional Integrated Programme of Action (RIPA) by the Twenty-fourth Session of the Council of Ministers in Islamabad in January 2004, India hosted the First Meeting of the Technical Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (including Livestock and Fisheries) under RIPA in New Delhi on 22-23 June 2004. The Meeting reviewed activities under the mandate of the Technical Committee during the year 2003-2004. It discussed the theme paper namely "Water Resources Management for Agriculture in SAARC Countries" Amongst others, it also discussed the draft TOR on establishing a "SAARC Quadrangle Milk Grid" and the Concept Paper on "Exchange of Rural Development Volunteers in the SAARC Countries" as well as follow-up of the decisions related to Agriculture and Rural Development emanating from the Twelfth SAARC Summit and the Twenty-fourth Session of the Council of Ministers, such as framing of modalities for the establishment of Regional Food Bank.

India hosted the Second Meeting of the SAARC Technical Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in New Delhi from 27-28 June 2005, which reviewed the activities under the Committee since its last Meeting. It had discussion on its theme paper “Water for Agriculture in SAARC Countries”. It deliberated on the Concept Paper prepared by India on the establishment of Regional Food Bank on the basis. The Meeting considered the Report of the SAARC-FAO Expert Level Meeting on Food Security, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Transboundary Animal Diseases (TAD). The Meeting recommended some changes in the three draft project proposals. It made recommendations on the location of the three diagnostic laboratories for three priority diseases (Foot and Mouth diseases, Peste des Petite Ruminant (PPR) and HPAI), one Epidemiological Centre and a Regional Support Unit under the proposed project to combat transboundary animal diseases in collaboration with FAO, who would serve as the link with these proposed entities.

Besides, the Meeting discussed on establishment of a “SAARC Quadrangle Milk Grid” and also discussed Concept Paper on “Exchange of Rural Development Volunteers in the SAARC Countries”. The role of the SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) was also discussed during the Meeting.
Subsequently, the preceding meetings of the Thirteenth SAARC Summit, approved the three projects jointly identified with FAO with some observations. SAARC and FAO are in consultations for early implementation of the projects, mentioned below:

a) Control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases
b) Enhancement of Integrated Pest Management
c) Regional Strategy and Regional Programme for Food Security

South Asian farmers, mostly small-scale farmers, heavily depend upon animal husbandry. Therefore, animal diseases and trade in animal and animal products have been recognized as an important area for regional collaboration. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) expressed interest in working with SAARC in this important area. Accordingly, the SAARC member States have authorized to the Secretary General to sign an MoU with OIE, which may be signed soon. In addition to enhance of capacity building in animal health surveillance, diagnostics, standard setting etc., future involvement of OIE is also expected to help SAARC countries in their efforts to control transboundary animal diseases.

The Member States, recognizing the importance of regional and sub-regional collective self-reliance with respect to food security, established a SAARC Food Security Reserve through signing an Agreement on Establishing the SAARC Food Security Reserve. The Agreement came into force on 12 August 1988 provides for a reserve of food grains to meet emergencies. The Reserve has 241,580 tonnes of food grains in stock.

There is a SAARC Food Security Reserve Board (SFSRB) to administer the Reserve.

The Reserve has not been truly functional. Therefore, the Twelfth SAARC Summit recommended the establishment of a Regional Food Bank. India has been developing a Concept Paper for the Bank, based on the inputs of the Member States. The next Meeting of the FSRB would examine the Concept Paper, after which a draft agreement is expected to be elaborated.