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 present 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 Badruddoza,” held at the Cirdap Auditorium in Dhaka.
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 crop varieties and 38 fruit species so far.
He also recalled the contribution of visionary agricultural scientist Dr Kazi M Badruddoza who spent his life in innovation and research for the country’s crop development.
The event was organized 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 Shahanuare Shaid Shahin moderated while the program was chaired by its President Golam Iftekhar Mahmud.
At 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 on Tuesday.