Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin said that it is possible to develop high quality, more drought and flood tolerant crops using biotechnology.
The minister made the remark while inaugurating a greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Curzon Hall in Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday morning for the production of climate tolerant crops.
The greenhouse was set up under a project funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Environment Minister said that the establishment of a greenhouse at Dhaka University for the first time is a significant event on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the centenary celebrations of Dhaka University.
He said that by applying biotechnology, it will be possible to carry out preliminary research on the development of climate tolerant and disease-resistant crops and to observe and conduct tests in this greenhouse before releasing them in the field.
“Inside the glass house of the greenhouse, it is possible to control all the elements required for crop production, including temperature, humidity and light. In the controlled environment of the greenhouse, any seedling can be produced at any time of the year without waiting for the season, which is very important for crop innovation through biotechnology. This will enable year round crop production as well as scientific observation of improved quality crops,” he added.
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The environment minister further said that the impact of climate change has been felt most in the agriculture sector.
“In order to reduce the risk in agriculture, various adaptive techniques need to be adopted. In addition, natural stress resistant crops are being grown worldwide through the use of biotechnology. The implementation of greenhouse projects will enable the development of high yielding crops to cope with future disasters as well as provide food for the growing population,” he said.
Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof DrAkhtaruzzaman presided over the meeting.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Muhammad Samad, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, Project Director and Vice Chancellor of Jagannath University Prof Md Imdadul Haque, Managing Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Dr Md Rezaul Haque and Dean of the Faculty of Biology Prof Mihir Lal Saha were present as special guests at the inauguration ceremony.
