Researchers at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) on Saturday said adopting new varieties of high yield crops could help maximise food production, which would lead to increased earnings and a stronger national economy.
Part of the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), the BINA researchers were speaking at the inauguration of a two-day training programme for journalists.
Dr MA Sattar, director general of BINA, said because of food shortages due to poor harvests Bangladesh had to import essentials for high prices from neighbouring countries, which could be avoided if high yield varieties of various crops are cultivated.
He said agro-scientists at BINA and others institutions are trying to develop crops that had the potential to ensure food security for the nation.
On August 26, the National Seed Board approved cultivation of four new high yield varieties of rice - BINA dhan -11, 12, 13 and 14.
The new varieties released to farmers should yield optimum production and contribute towards ensuring food security in Bangladesh, said Dr Sattar.
According to Dr Salam nearly 2.5m hectares is unutilised in the coastal areas because the soil is highly saline. He said rice can easily be cultivated on 30% of the coastal land using two varieties of salt-tolerant rice, BINA dhan - 8 and 10.
He said it won’t be long before Bangladesh starts to produce enough rice and cereals for export as well as to meet demands at home.
BINA has also developed draught-resistant varieties that could be harvested in the northern regions, said another researcher Dr M Raisul Haider.
Dr Habibur Rahman spoke about the development of several varieties of mustard that are capable of producing twice the amount of oil than the traditional variety.
Around 60 journalists are taking part in the workshop, including members of BAU journalists association and press clubs of Mymensingh.
