Bangladesh Land Minister Calls for High Tech Seed Sector

The impact of climate change is continuously affecting crop production and threatening food security in the northern and southern parts of Bangladesh. Strengthening the high technology seed sector in agriculture is a way to assure food security in the country. This was stated by Bangladesh Minister for Land Advocate Mostafizur Rahman during the Third International Seed Conference and Seed Fair held on 8-10 February 2012 at Bangladesh Agricultural University.

"We have about 1 million hectares of fallow land in the coastal area, which is affected by saline water. "If we can cultivate 1 million ha coastal saline tract, it would help us become self-sufficient in food. Drought and salinity-resistant quality seed is the prime need of the day to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security in the country," the Minister elaborated.

Seed Science Society of Bangladesh, Seed Wings and the Ministry of Agriculture jointly organized the conference and fair. The theme of the conference was Quality Seed for Food Security under Changing Climate. Some 50 scientists from Bangladesh and foreign experts presented 110 research papers. The fair attracted thousands of students, farmers and entrepreneurs from various parts of the country. 

For more news about crop biotechnology in Bangladesh, email Dr. Khondoker Nasiruddin of the Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at k.nasiruddin@isaaa.org.