Canadian agri research organisation opens Dhaka regional office

A regional office of the Global Institute for Food Security, a research organisation of University of Saskatchewan in Canada, was opened in Dhaka yesterday to help the country's agricultural researchers gain advanced knowledge and skills.

The office was inaugurated on the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) premises.

The institute works with partners to discover, develop and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food. This centre will help agricultural researchers tackle challenges posed in agriculture, including climate change.

Inaugurating the centre, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque said the Saskatchewan region has a worldwide reputation for producing versatile and quality agro-food.

"As a result of opening this office in Dhaka, their technology and experience can be utilised. Cooperation between Bangladesh and Canada in the field of agriculture will be further strengthened," he said.

Razzaque also reiterated that notable achievements were made in agricultural production since the present government came to office.

"But there are many challenges in the future to sustain and increase the growth of agricultural production. The regional office will play an important role in addressing these challenges and making food security sustainable," he added.

Joining virtually, David Marit, agriculture minister of the Saskatchewan government, said the office would further enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture.

"We need to work together to meet the food needs of a growing population and make food security sustainable. To this end, the two countries will work together," he added.

BARC Executive Chairman Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar and the institute Chief Operating Officer Stephen Visscher signed an agreement yesterday over the establishment of the office.

Md Mesbahul Islam and Md Ruhul Amin Talukder, senior secretary and additional secretary to the agriculture ministry respectively, Benoit Préfontaine, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Canada, Bangabandhu Research Chair at the institute Andrew Sharpe and Baljit Singh, vice-president (research) at the University of Saskatchewan, also spoke at the programme.

Earlier on February 10, the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing the Bangabandhu Research Chair, the regional office and a Bangabandhu-Pierre Trudeau Agricultural Technology Centre.

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is preparing the project on establishing the centre with funding from the Bangladesh government whereas the institute will provide technical assistance on its implementation, the ministry said in a press release.

Moreover, a project on biotechnology, jointly funded by Bangladesh Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF) and the institute, has already been approved by the KGF Board.