Biotech Ministers Support the Use of Biotech for Food Security

A three day International Conference on Plant Breeding and Seed for Food Security was recently held at the  Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh with both Ms. Matia Chowdhury, Minister for Agriculture and Dr. M. A. Razzaque, Minister for Food and Disaster Management supporting the use of biotechnology as the prime option for food and nutritional security for Bangladesh.

 

Ms. Chowdhury assured that the government will continually support initiatives for food security using high tech agriculture. Dr. Razzaque on the other hand, emphasized the development of world class biotech laboratories and research institutions that will conduct significant research to address agricultural problems such as salinity, waterlogging, drought, diseases and pests. He further suggested to develop varieties for improved water/nutrient use efficiency and more photosynthetic ability like converting C3 to C4 plants.

 

Similarly, Bangladesh Food and Agriculture Organization representative Ad Spijkers expressed his support to biotech and basic research especially for developing saline tolerant crops and other varieties of crops with important traits for food security. The conference was attended by 600 scientists, seed growers, farmers, researchers and was chaired by Dr Kazi Badruddoza, National Scientist Emeritus.

 

 

For details of the conference, contact Dr. K. M. Nasiruddin of Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at nasirbiotech@yahoo.com