RANGPUR, Nov 27 (BSS): Agriculture experts said country is moving toward the right direction to achieve agricultural sustainability increasing overall food production by overcoming all sorts of constraints, including adverse impacts of climate change.
"Agriculture scientists are conducting continuous research for innovation and expanded cultivation of climate resilient crop varieties. So, profitable cropping patterns are becoming effective to increase food productivity," said Dr Md Abdul Mazid.
Dr Mazid, an agriculture scientist, who got the Independence Award 2018 Medal (food security) this year, appreciated pragmatic steps taken by the government during previous years to increase food productivity by adapting to changing climate.
Expanded cultivation of climate smart crops, mechanisation of agriculture, adoption of proven technologies, best farm practices, balanced fertilisation and pest control and expansion of irrigation facilities are contributing to boost food output.
He suggested all agriculture related research institutes and organisations for conducting continuous research on innovation of time-befitting, need-based and more climate smart high yielding varieties of crops to further increase food productivity.
"Bangladesh is currently producing over 34.8 million tonnes of clean rice annually in addition to other cereal crops making the country self-reliant on food for its 160 million population to attain the sustainable development goals by 2030," he said.
The growth in rice production will continue to increase following various pragmatic steps of the government to further enhance its output by almost one and a half times by 2050 to feed probable 220 million population that time.
Dr Mazid, also a former Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, said farmers have started using improved and eco-friendly agriculture technologies and practices almost having no adverse effects on the environment.
"For a sustainable agriculture amid changing climate, we have to ensure effective extension of services, improved technologies and proven practices among farmers using video-based training to resolve agricultural and natural resource problems," he said.
Dr Mazid especially suggested for adoption of resource-conserving and conservation agriculture technologies, practices, integrated pest and nutrient managements, reduced tillage and agro-forestry for sustainable agriculture.
"Reaching quality seed of high yielding crops and transferring technologies for seed production of hybrid crops to farmers' level along with providing necessary ICT-based training on latest technologies are crucial to increase food productivity," he said.
