Biotech Updates

Bangladesh Agricultural Minister Supports Biotech

April 16, 2010

Bangladesh Minister for Agriculture Begum Matia Chowdhury gave her support to hybrid and genetically modified (GM) crops during the international seminar on "Hybrid rice for food security: R&D and farmers' experiences in South and Southeast Asia" on April 6, 2010 at Spectra Convention Centre, Dhaka. She mentioned that China and Vietnam are progressing with hybrid and GM crops and that the country should also keep pace with global scientific advancement.

In addition, the Minister urged scientists to develop short duration, drought and saline tolerant rice for all seasons to combat perennial natural calamities and to make the country self sufficient in food. The Secretary of Agriculture Ministry CQK Mustaq Ahmed also echoed the same sentiment by saying that GM crops contribute to food security and poverty alleviation for a growing population.

The seminar was attended by 100 senior scientists, academia, policy makers and representatives from government, private sector, and media. It was organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Bangladesh Rice Foundation.

Email Dr. Khondoker Nasiruddin of the Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at k.nasiruddin@isaaa.org or nasirbiotech@yahoo.com for more news about crop biotechnology in Bangladesh.