President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for expanding agricultural research to address the challenges of climate change and food security while ensuring fair prices for farmers.
He made the call at a presentation and discussion session titled “BARI’s Contribution to Safe Food Production and Nutritional Security: Current Progress, Challenges and Future Plans” at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) High School ground in Gazipur on Thursday.
The President praised agricultural scientists for their contributions to ensuring the country’s food and nutritional security.
On his arrival at BARI’s main office, he was welcomed by the agriculture minister, local members of parliament, the secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, the administrators of Gazipur City Corporation and Gazipur Zilla Parishad, the deputy commissioner of Gazipur, the police commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, the superintendent of police of Gazipur and scientists of the institute.
A contingent of Bangladesh Police presented him with a guard of honour.
Later, the President visited BARI’s Gene Bank, planted a sapling and toured the institute’s technology exhibition stalls.
Speaking at the event, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid called for proper preservation of agricultural produce and measures to make the country’s agriculture globally competitive.
BARI Director General Dr Md Manjurul Kadir delivered the welcome address, while Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain Molla, director (Support and Services) of the institute, presented data on BARI’s contributions to safe food production and nutritional security, along with its progress, challenges and future plans.
Officials from various ministries, agricultural scientists, senior scientists from different divisions, centres and sections of BARI, and invited guests attended the event.