Dhaka, Oct 2 (UNB)-Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque on Monday lauded the agricultural scientists, who have contributed to high-yielding rice variety innovation, resulting in the country now surplus in rice production. He said India banned rice exports, the Ukraine-Russia war is prolonged and people are concerned globally over their food security; in such a time Bangladesh is producing surplus food which is great news for the nation. The minister said this in the inauguration of the two-day BAJF National Conference styled ‘Transformation of Bangladesh’s Agriculture: Role of Kazi M Badruddozar,’ held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital on Monday.
Bangladesh is now a food surplus country due to innovation by agricultural scientists: Agriculture Minister
The Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) organized the program. Dr Razzaque said the government is promoting agriculture research and innovation, which resulted in the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) innovating 113 high-yielding varieties of rice, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) innovated 97 crops varieties and 38 fruit species so far. He also recalled the contribution of visionary agricultural scientist Dr Kazi M Badruddoza who past his life in innovation and research for the country’s crop development. The event was organised to commemorate one of the greatest agricultural scientists of the world Dr Kazi Md Badruddoza who breathed his last on August 30, 2023. BAJF General Secretary Shahanware Shahid Shaheen moderated while the program was chaired by its President Golam Iftekhar Mahmud. Dr Shajahan Kabir, Director General of BRRI, Dr Debashish Sarkar, DG of BARI, SM Pervez Tomal, Chairman of NRBC Bank, Dr FH Ansari, President ACI Agribusiness, Md Hamidur Rahman former DG of Department of Agriculture Extension, among other, spoke in the function. Dr Jahangir Alam, Professor Agribusiness and Marketing Department, at Bangladesh Agricultural University, presented a keynote article on ‘Transformation of Bangladesh Agriculture’ in the program. The conference, the BAJF publication cover was unveiled, and 60 agricultural journalists from across the country are also participating in the two-day training program, ending tomorrow (Tuesday).
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque Monday lauded late agri scientist Dr Kazi M Badruddoza as the catalyst behind the transformation of Bangladesh’s agriculture, highlighting his pivotal role in modernising the traditional farming practices of the country through the application of scientific principles.
He emphasised that the nation is now reaping the benefits of Badruddoza’s visionary approach. The comment was made during the inauguration of two-day BAJF National Conference styled ‘Transformation of Bangladesh’s Agriculture: Role of Kazi M Badruddozar,’ held at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Monday, organised by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF).
The event was orgainsed to commemorate one of the greatest agricultural scientists of the world Dr Kazi M Badruddoza who breathed his last on August 30 last. BAJF General Secretary Shahanware Shahid Shaheen moderated while the programme was chaired by its President Golam Iftekhar Mahmud. During the conference, the BAJF publication cover was unveiled, and 60 agricultural journalists from across the country are also being participated in the two-day training programme to be ended on Tuesday.
On the first day of training, participants received insights on agricultural mechanisation through integrated management, the export of agricultural products, sustainable agriculture practices to combat climate change, disaster-prone crop varieties and year-long fruit production. However, the minister acknowledged that the second phase of this agricultural revolution presents formidable challenges, primarily focused on the mechanization of various agricultural processes, from paddy planting to threshing.
He also stressed the importance of modernizing and commercializing all facets of agriculture, with a particular emphasis on increasing agricultural processing to enhance value addition.
Former Director General of Department of Agriculture Extension, Hamidur Rahman recounted how Kazi Badruddoza’s direct dialogue with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led to the establishment of the Agricultural Research Council (BARC), averting the construction of a five-star hotel on the proposed site.
NRBC Bank Chairman SM Parvez Tamal emphasized the need for increased investment in agriculture to reduce import dependence and boost exports.
Tamal advocated for a private sector partnership and proposed raising the allocation of bank investments in the agriculture sector from 2.0 percent to 5.0 percent. He also suggested that agricultural loans should be disbursed directly through banks, reducing the reliance on NGOs for loan distribution.
ACI Agribusiness Managing Director FH Ansari highlighted the significant contributions of the private sector to agricultural research in Bangladesh and called for government initiatives to further support private sector research. Ansari also recommended streamlining the bank financing process for farm mechanisation.
Dr Md Shahjahan Kabir, Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), outlined efforts to develop new rice varieties with higher protein content and fortified with zinc, iron, and antioxidants. Meanwhile, Debashish Sarkar, Director General of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), discussed the challenges posed by shrinking land availability and climate change, emphasizing BARI’s commitment to developing climate-tolerant crop varieties and technologies.
Managing Director of Hortex Foundation, Md Rafiqul Amin, delivered a welcome address while Prof Dr Jahangir Alam, Agribusiness and Marketing Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University presented the keynote article on ‘Transformation of Bangladesh Agriculture.’ Dr Alam noted Bangladesh’s impressive agricultural production given its land constraints but acknowledged the need to improve agricultural productivity further. He emphasised the importance of cultivating fallow lands and achieving food self-sufficiency to safeguard against global crises.
