Genome editing technology could play a transformative role in developing climate-smart rice varieties in Bangladesh, experts said at a consultative workshop held in Gazipur on Saturday, underscoring its potential to strengthen the country’s long-term food and nutrition security amid growing climate challenges.
The daylong workshop, titled “Enhancing Rice Yield and Resilience to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses using Genome Editing,” was organised at the BRAC Agricultural Research and Development Centre under a special research initiative funded by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) through the BAS-USDA-PALS programme.
Scientists, researchers, policymakers and industry representatives from across the country joined the event to discuss how genome editing technologies can support sustainable agricultural production and help Bangladesh adapt to climate change.
The programme was presided over by renowned scientist and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences Fellow Prof Dr Md Tofazzal Islam, Dean of Graduate Studies at Gazipur Agricultural University and coordinator of the project. GKM Mustafizur Rahman attended as chief guest, while eminent biotechnologist Prof Haseena Khan joined as special guest.
Speakers at the workshop described genome editing as a timely and transformative tool for addressing some of the country’s most pressing agricultural challenges. They said the development of rice varieties tolerant to salinity, drought, excessive rainfall and major crop diseases could open new horizons for Bangladesh’s agriculture sector as climate risks intensify.
During the first technical session, seven principal investigators presented progress reports on their ongoing research activities. Researchers from the University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, Jahangirnagar University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Independent University, Bangladesh, and Supreme Seed Company Limited took part in the presentations.
The second technical session focused on guide-RNA design, the application of genome editing in rice improvement, and biosafety considerations surrounding the release of genome-edited crop varieties.
Participants also engaged in detailed discussions on existing technological challenges and possible solutions to achieve targeted rice traits.
The workshop was attended by nearly 40 local and international experts, scientists, industry representatives, PhD researchers and project members. Among them were representatives from BRAC Seed, Lal Teer Seed Limited, Tropic Biosciences (UK), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), CIMMYT, Dhaka University and the National Biotechnology Institute.
Researchers involved in the project said significant progress has already been made in developing high-yielding, climate-smart rice varieties resistant to salinity, heat stress, lodging, blast disease and bacterial blight, while also requiring lower fertiliser inputs.
At the concluding session, participants outlined a coordinated action plan and strategic recommendations aimed at developing and commercialising genome-edited climate-resilient rice varieties in Bangladesh within the next three years.
They also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and local and international industry partners.
Organisers expressed optimism that the combined efforts of academia and industry would help develop more resilient and productive rice varieties for farmers, contributing significantly to the country’s future food security.
