Adopting advanced research and development on modern technologies in agriculture is the only alternative in order to embracing 4th industrial revolution.
Agriculture Minister Md. Abdur Razzak said this while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of the 'International Conference on Science and Technology' at the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) premises in the capital on Thursday.
The Minister said that, “Bangladesh has always been a fertile land. That is why Mughals, British, Pakistanis, and others were always interested about this land.”
Besides the fertile land, there are also talented people. Then why the people of this country will suffer from food? Raising such a question, the minister urged the government to work at the government-private level to ensure the availability of balanced and nutritious food in the future in a self-sufficient Bangladesh.
Calling on the researchers and scientists to come forward in the field of research, the Agriculture Minister said that, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is allocating sufficient funds for research very generously. As a result, there is no problem with money in research now”.
Agriculture Minister called to end the use of artificial flowers. Razzak added that, “The use of artificial flowers should be stopped at government, private, social and private levels. At present, our country is cultivating and producing a lot of local and foreign varieties of flowers of different colors. Flower cultivation will increase further if the use of artificial flowers can be stopped. At the same time, it will also benefit the flower growers”.
"If we want to sustain as a high middle-income country by 2030 and a developed and prosperous country by 2041, we have to adopt the fourth industrial revolution. Therefore, research and innovation in all fields including agriculture, industry, science and technology needs to be increased," the minister further added.
Speaking as the chief sponsor at the conference, Minister for Science and Technology Architect Yafes Osman said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking the country forward with timely decisions and strong leadership to improve the destiny of the nation in any situation, including the ongoing Covid- 19 situation. Those of us who are working with science and technology must also play a leading role in implementing the Prime Minister's decision on new research and innovation”.
Minister of Science and Technology Architect Yafes Osman was present as the chief patron on the occasion. Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh was the Guest of Honor. Parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Science and Technology president Afam Ruhul Haque was present as special guest, Ministry of Science and Technology Senior Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain was present as sponsors. The President of the Organizing Committee and Chairman of BCSIR Prof. Dr. Md. Aftab Ali Sheikh presided over the function.
It is to be noted that more than 700 scientists, researchers and engineers from different countries of the world including Bangladesh, USA, Canada, Germany, China and India are participating in this three-day international conference physically and virtually. More than 1,000 research papers will be presented simultaneously at 12 venues under the theme 'Technology of the Future'.
