Scientists have suggested Bangladesh must pay particular attention to the untapped potentials and latest technologies to increase rice production, as the country faces challenges for rapid population growth, decline of land and regular natural disasters.
They said Bangladesh has been almost self-sufficient in rice with over three crore tonnes yearly production; but maintaining expected annual growth of 1.7 percent to meet the need may be very difficult with the existing technologies and crop management system.
The observations came at a symposium on ”Food security in Bangladesh: vision and strategies of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)” organised by IRRI at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital yesterday.
“Special attention should be given for upland areas. For example, Chittagong Hill Tracts is a huge area having huge potentials for crops production,” said M Syeduzzaman, member of IRRI Board of Trustees.
He said biotechnology in agriculture has made a lot of developments; the country has to take its opportunities.
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council Executive Chairman, Dr Waise Kabir, said rice yield gap — a gap between possibilities of yield and real yield — is still wide in Bangladesh. To meet the future challenges is never possible without reducing the gap.
He suggested for comprehensive research on the agricultural policies to find appropriate mechanisations to raise production.
IRRI Representative in Bangladesh, Dr Zainul Abedin, said major problem for food security in Bangladesh is that its population is increasing by 1.5 to 1.6 percent annually, while farmland is declining by one percent.
Abedin said the country’s rice production has increased over the years mainly because of high yielding varieties, but their potentials have been almost at the highest level now.
On the other hand, very erratic climates — shortfall of rain during monsoon and flooding in haors during Boro season have put agriculture at risk. Besides salinity increase in the coastal areas has careated a new challenge, the rice scientist observed, said Abedin.
He suggested improving and developing rice varieties tolerant to adverse climatic situations, improving crop management, and educating farmers by skilled officials and removing barriers to adoption of new technologies.
IRRI Scientists Jauhar Ali, Glenn Gregorio, US Singh, JK Ladha and Ronald Buresh also spoke.
