The New Nation - Internet Edition

AGRICULTURAL research is of paramount importance. It is expected to focus on developing new high yielding varieties of seed and the varietal degeneration. Productivity diminishes with varietal degeneration. Higher productivity can meet the ever-increasing demands for agro-products in view of the growing population of the country. Research in agriculture has, however, assumed a worrisome dimension with climatic changes due to global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which is a research organization guided and funded by two UN agencies, suggests that Bangladesh is likely to be one of the hardest-hit countries in respect of its agriculture due to the global climate change. Production of rice may drop by 10 per cent and wheat by one-third in Bangladesh by 2050, if agriculture in this country fails to devise appropriate strategies to cope with changing climate. Consumption of cereals will increase substantially with further increases in population.

As of date, the production of rice has fairly kept up with population growth. But there is no assurance of maintaining this balance on a continuing basis. Experts reveal that most of the currently used varieties of rice seeds have outlived their normal longevity. Further higher yields are not possible from them. Therefore, introduction of new high yielding seeds is needed. Seeds need to be tolerant of varied conditions of weather, which the IPPC is predicting for Bangladesh.

New varieties of seeds have to be developed specially for cereals with shorter growing season but producing greater yields. Seeds may have to be developed to adapt to saline conditions as saline water intrusion cannot be avoided in the coastal districts. Seeds will also have to be developed to withstand drought Research would be needed to develop flood resistant varieties.

It is heartening to note that BRRI continues with research on all the issues under discussion. We look to our researchers for developing new varieties to ensure food security in the face of climate change.