Bangladesh Ag Minister Supports GM Crops for Food Security

A three -day Conference on Science and Food Security for 600 participants of the Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science was recently concluded in Gazipur, Bangladesh. In her inaugural speech, Agriculture Minister of Bangladesh Matia Choudhury urged scientists to develop through biotechnology rice varieties and other major crops with important traits such as tolerance to waterlogging, flood, drought and salinity, as well as resistance to insect pests and diseases. She also expressed her pessimism towards food production through organic farming since this will not realistically produce enough food for the country's population in the midst of diminishing crop land. Dr. Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid, Director General of Bangladesh Agricultural Institute and Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council on the other hand, emphasized the use of biotechnological approaches for food security and nutritionally balanced food supply.

For details of the conference and for information on biotechnology in Bangladesh please contact Prof. K. M .Nasiruddin of Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at nasirbiotech@yahoo.com