The Internal Research review & planning workshop 2022 of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has been inaugurated on Saturday at the Kazi Badrudduza Auditorium of the institute.
This workshop has been organized for the purpose of evaluating all the research programs undertaken in the last year 2021-2022 and formulating the research program for the next year 2022-2023 in the light of these experiences. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) is currently conducting research activities on 211 crops. A total of 1,224 technologies including 622 high yielding (including hybrids), disease resistant and various adverse environment resistant varieties and 602 other production technologies have been developed by BARI. As a result of these technological innovations, the production of oilseeds, pulses, potatoes, wheat, vegetables, spices and fruits has increased tremendously in the country. The main objective of this workshop is to verify the suitability of these technologies and to take up the program of technology innovation according to the current demand of the country.
Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Md. Sayedul Islam was the chief guest while Director General of BARI Dr. Debasish Sarker presided over the inaugural ceremony. Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) A F M Hayatullah, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bokhtiar, Additional Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry Mr. Kamalaranjan Das and Director General of Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Md. Benazir Alam were present as special guests. BARI Director (Support & Services) Dr. Md. Kamrul Hasan present the welcome address, Director (Research) Dr. Md. Tariqul Islam gave a presentation on the research activities and achievements of BARI and Director (Training & Communication) Dr. Ferdousi Islam gave the vote of thanks. Agricultural experts, scientists, representatives from government, non-government and international organizations, BARI scientists and officers were, among others, participated in the inaugural session.
On the occasion, the winners of the 'Talent Hunt' competition for the innovation of agricultural machinery and technology under the project titled ‘Farm Machinery Technology Development for Profitable Crop Production (FMDP)" implemented by BARI were awarded the 'Agriculture Machinery Talent Hunt and Development Award 2022'. A total of 10 people were awarded for their innovations in 3 categories in this competition.
Among which were first prize 1 (Tk. 50 thousand, crest and certificate); 2nd prize 3 (Tk 30 thousand each, crest and certificate) and third prize 6 (Tk 20 thousand each, crest and certificate). Winners of the competition showcased their inventions in an open space adjacent to the inauguration venue.
In his speech as chief guest, Honorable Agriculture Secretary Mr. Md. Sayedul Islam gave various directions to the scientists of BARI in making research program plans. He said, not only crop production should be increased, safe and exportable crops should be produced. And if we can do this, our export income will increase a lot.
Development of agriculture will not be possible if there is no mechanization in agriculture. But unfortunately, most of the agricultural machinery we are subsidizing up to 30-70% is import dependent. Sustainable agricultural development is not possible using these imported agricultural machinery. The government is subsidizing Tk. 30 thousand crore annually in agriculture sector but we are not able to use it properly. He called on the scientists to invent high nutrient rich crop varieties suitable for adverse environment and to acquire the ability to face the future challenges of agriculture.
