'National Bio-tech policy to be formulated'

The two-day seminar on "Appliance of Bio-technology in Agricultural Production and its Prospect" ended here yesterday with recommendation for formulation of a National Bio-tech Policy.

"It is essential to prepare a National Bio-tech Policy and form a National Bio-tech Authority to speed up sustainable agricultural production in the country," speakers at the concluding session said.

State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir attended the session as chief guest.

UNDP, FAO and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) jointly organised the seminar.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Mohammad Abdul Haque, Science, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Karar Mahmudul Hasan attended the session as special guests.

Environment and Forest Secretary Sabiuddin Ahmmed chaired the seminar.

Noted agricultural experts Dr RB Sing, Dr M Nurul Alam, Dr M Abdur Razzak, soil scientist MM Mujib and Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Shirin Kamal Sayeed took part in the open discussion.

Fakrul Islam said the agricultural production should be increased by applying bio-technology and genetic engineering to make the country's agriculture able to face the global competition.

"We have no time to wait as other countries have been multiplying their agricultural production by introducing bio-technology," he said, adding, the present government would provide all support to any positive initiative to be taken for the welfare of the farmers and agriculture.

The two-day seminar stressed increasing financial cooperation for implementation of the bio-tech policy and strengthen mutual communication among researchers, agriculture department workers, and farm workers.