RAJSHAHI, July 01 (BSS): Paddy scientists and researchers have laid emphasis on the need for acquiring updated knowledge for a proper management of blast disease in aromatic rice in transplanted Aman (T-Aman) season.
The field-level extension officials and others concerned should be equipped and enriched with modern ideas so that they can manage the disease for boosting rice production in the greater interest of food security.
They made this observation while addressing a regional workshop titled "Blast Disease and its Management in Aromatic Rice in Transplanted Aman Season" in Rajshahi city on Saturday.
Regional station of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) organised the workshop at its training dormitory discussing ways and means on how to manage the disease collectively.
Integrated Management of blast disease for enhancing rice production in relation to climate change project financially supported the workshop.
BRRI Directors Dr Ansar Ali and Dr Tomal Lota Aditya addressed the workshop as the chief and special guests respectively with additional director of DAE SM Mustafizur Rahman in the chair.
More than 100 scientists, researchers, extension officials and other stakeholders joined the workshop sharing their views on the issue.
During their keynote presentations, Plant Pathology Division Head of BRRI Dr Abdul Latif and Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Monojit Kumar Mallik described how to manage the disease.
They revealed that incidence and severity of blast disease of rice is being recorded in all agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh during transplanted Aman seasons.
However, disease incidence and severity was higher in irrigated ecosystem.
Disseminating their expertise they also mentioned the disease has emerged in the country due to adverse impact of climate change. So, the field level officials and staff concerned should remain vigil to detect the menace for its early management.
Dr Ansar Ali told the workshop that BRRI has been working relentlessly to boost rice production through integrated management of the existing diseases for the sake country's food security.
Meanwhile, speakers in another programme in the city laid emphasis on concerted efforts of all scientists, researchers and extension officials to boost Aman paddy yield to feed the gradually increasing population of the country.
As the rice is staple food of the country so its production needs to be enhanced through managing all sorts of challenges, including diseases and adverse impact of climate change.
The views were expressed at a regional workshop in the city on Sunday.
The scientists, researchers and extension officials attending the event urged all the field level officials to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty to ensure food security of the nation through boosting paddy yield.
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) jointly organised the workshop styled "Way forward to Increase Aman Paddy Yield in Rajshahi and Bogra Zones" at training dormitory of Fruit Research Station.
Chaired by Dr Tomal Lota Aditya, director (Research) of BRRI, the workshop was addressed, among others, by BRRI Director General Dr Shahjahan Kabir and additional directors of DAE SM Mustafizur Rahman and Matiar Rahman.
During their keynote presentations, DAE Deputy Directors Joynal Abedeen and Kamal Uddin gave an overview of Aman paddy production in the region.
