IRRI to Conduct Research into Stress-Tolerant Rice Varieties

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will continue to assist Bangladesh in developing and researching stress-tolerant rice varieties, including salt. Furthermore, Bangladeshi scientists will be able to receive training in a variety of disciplines, including rapid rice variety innovation, at the Erie South Asia Regional Office in Varanasi, India.

This was stated by IRRI Asia Representative Nafees Meah during a meeting with Agriculture Minister Dr. Md Abdur Razzak on Tuesday afternoon at the Secretariat. Md Sayedul Islam, Secretary of Agriculture, Kamala Ranjan Das, Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Shahjahan Kabir, Bangladesh Representative of Eri Homnath Bhandari, and others were present at the meeting.

At the same time, the Agriculture Minister stated, "In order to ensure long-term food security, we are prioritizing the development of various salt-tolerant rice varieties." Scientists in the country have already developed numerous high-quality varieties. Even so, more variety is required. If you're looking for a unique way to express yourself, this is the place to be.”

The IRRI delegation wanted to know about the release of Golden Rice in Bangladesh at this time and requested its release. 

The release of Golden Rice in the country is currently being considered by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, according to the minister. He stated that environmentalists and civil society are opposed to the introduction of Golden Rice into the country. According to Nafees Mia, Erie's Asia Representative, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh will be invited as the keynote speaker at the International Paddy Conference in 2023.

Later, while speaking with journalists, the Agriculture Minister stated that if there is no major natural disaster, the country will not face a food crisis. The paddy in the field is in good condition right now. Boro has been planted on 90,000 more hectares than the target for this year.

Early floods have damaged approximately 7 thousand hectares of paddy land in Haor, out of 4 lakh 52 thousand hectares of land. However, due to timely dam protection, favourable weather, and rapid paddy harvesting via machinery, the haor's paddy has already been taken home.

Apart from this, the minister also stated that efforts were being made to reduce edible oil import dependence by increasing mustard cultivation. He claimed that in the next 3-4 years, it would be possible to produce 40% of the edible oil demand locally.