The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim on Saturday said the government has initially set a target to bring 54 lakh hectares of lands for producing one crore 30 lakhs tonnes of Aman paddy during the current season.

"Presently, we are trying to bring more lands under Aman cultivation through repairing some of sluice gates in greater Barisal district," he told reporters after inaugurating the 24th annual conference of Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) as the chief guest here.

In the last Boro season, 47 lakh hectares of land were brought under cultivation, he said.

The BSM conference with the theme of 'Microbes in the Food and Environment' was held at IFST auditorium of BCSIR with its chairman Professor Sirajul Islam Khan in the chair.

Chief Executive of PRAN-RFL Group Major General (retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury spoke as the special guest while BCSIR Chairman Professor Choudhury Mahmood Hasan gave the welcome speech.

BSM general secretary Prof M Anwar Hossain and secretary of the conference organizing committee Dr M Manjurul Karim also spoke on the occasion.

In his speech, the Adviser urged the microbiologists to invent new varieties of bacteria resistance crops with more immunity and bio-fertilizers to help the country ensuring food security.

The scientists should engage themselves more in research activities to invent high-yielding varieties to face the prevailing food crisis across the world, he said.

Karim termed the adaptation to adverse affect of climate change as the major challenge of the country to ensure food security for the next generation.

"We need more drought, flood and salinity resistance crops to adapt with the climate change," he said.

He underlined the need for establishing a strong linkage between industries and scientists to carry out more demand focus researches in the country.

"The development of the country depends on the successful activation of public-private partnership in all sectors," Dr Karim said.

He urged the agro-entrepreneurs to set up modern laboratories and quality control centres through their own initiatives to contribute more in crop production.

Amjad said coordination among all stakeholders including government, non-government organizations and multi-lateral donors is needed to expedite the progress of agriculture researches in the country.

"All research works should be carried out on the basis of business and market to reach the maximum benefits," he said.

Prof Sirajul said the country's crop production could be increased by double or more through conducting fruitful works by using modern technology and equipment.

Professor Mahmood urged the government to provide more fund and incentive to the scientists as they could involved themselves more in the research works.

"Policymakers of the country need to have more understanding of science and technology," he said.

More than 200 microbiologists across the country attended the conference.