Dhaka desk: President Abdul Hamid on Thursday called upon agriculture scientists and researchers to innovate climate-tolerant varieties of crops, newer technologies and strategies to protect agriculture from the adverse impacts of climate change.
“The increasing natural disasters induced by climate change are putting the country's agriculture sector at risk day by day. Innovation of knowledge-based sustainable agriculture technology and its application at field-level are urgent now to address this challenge,” he said.
The President was addressing the 3rd convocation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) on its campus in Gazipur.
A total of 1313 students were conferred degrees at the convocation while 11 students got gold medals for their outstanding academic performance.
President Hamid said scientists and researchers must invent newer strategies through biotechnology or genetic engineering aiming to cope with climate change-induced impacts like drought and flood.
“Besides, the use of these new technologies by farmers must be ensured. It should be remembered that if these innovations and new technologies could not be made farmers-friendly ones, it won't bring any fruitful result in real sense,” the President said.
He also stressed the need for innovating new varieties of crops with high nutritious value to ensure food security for the country's growing population.
Recalling the contributions of farmers, the President said most of the educated and well-established people of the country have come from farmers' families and their education-related expenses were met from agricultural income.
“That's why I call upon agriculturists, agriculture scientists, researchers and others…don't forget the agriculture, remember your roots. Rather keep engage in inventing sustainable agriculture technology.”
Asking all to stand beside farmers to encourage them to boost agricultural produces as well as ensure fair prices of their crops, including potato, mango, tomato and other seasonal fruits, Hamid said the influence of middlemen must be checked in marketing of agricultural products and at consumer level.
The President said single cropping pattern and the use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture contribute to the rapid decline of soil fertility and its production capacity, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.
Hamid, also the Chancellor of the university, asked the teachers and the authorities of agricultural universities to take pragmatic steps to modernise the academic curriculum for the development of agriculture sector.
“The country's population is on the rise while the arable land is decreasing gradually…so it's time to think how we can advance the nation adjusting these two issues,” he said.
Welcoming the new graduates, President Hamid said addressing the demand of time in agriculture sector through their innovation and research will be a great challenging task for them in the coming days.
“I hope, you'll be able to bring a revolutionary change in the country's agriculture sector by applying your knowledge, skill and innovative power you gained from the university,” he added.
Convocation speaker and chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Abdul Mannan and BSMRAU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rhaman, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Convocation speaker and chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Abdul Mannan and BSMRAU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rhaman also addressed the convocation.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and BSMRAU treasurer Prof Dr Ismail Hossain Miah were present.
