The government would produce more hybrid crops including potato and rice, Agricultural Minister Matia Chowdhury said yesterday.
“We will go for hybrid technology to grow more potato and rice. We cannot let people die from starving in the name of ensuring pure food,” she said while addressing a programme in the city.
Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) organised the seminar titled “Expansion of Appropriate Agricultural Technology: Experience of PKSF” on the occasion of its 25 years at the PKSF building.
Matia said: “When we first introduced hybrid [genetically modified] BT brinjal, several NGOs stood against the project. But with the blessings of hybrid products you now get foods round the year.”
The minister said the government had talked to scientists and specialists on how to produce more hybrid crops in small land.
The government in October last year released seeds of four controversial GM verities of brinjal for the second time even though the pilot project, launched early last year, had failed to yield good results.
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, responsible for releasing the brinjal verities, earlier admitted that they had not examined the health impact of the GM crop. The chief of BARI also said they would not label the Bt brinjals in the market terming it ridiculous.
According to a condition imposed by the National Committee on Biosafety, no GM crop can be sold without labels – a precondition imposed by them.
At yesterday’s seminar, Mustafa K Mujeri, director general of BIDS, said without equal advancement of agricultural and non-agricultural sector, “our economical condition will not develop. We need advanced agro-technology. For this purpose, the PKSF has started working on appropriate agricultural technology for agricultural development.”
The PKSF has taken several steps as a part of expansion of appropriate agricultural technology including Pheromone Trap for toxic-free vegetable, Urea Super Granule for paddy cultivation, alternate wet and dry for irrigation of paddy cultivation, poultry production model chain, Vermi compost technology, poultry production model chain, preventing disease of livestocks, ensuring primary treatment and livestock insurance.
Former agriculture secretary Jahurul Karim said before applying a new technology, it should be verified on the fields. She emphasised on quality seeds to increase production.
Several successful farmers shared their experience at the seminar, presided over by PKSF Chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed.