Matia urges researchers to promote agri sector

Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury MP Saturday urged the researchers to come forward to promote the country's agricultural sector.
The minister made the call when she was inaugurating the 7th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference styled "Biotechnology and Biosafety for Human Welfare" as chief guest.
Bangladesh Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology (BAPTC&B) organized the three-day long conference at Senate Bhaban of the Dhaka University (DU).
Among others DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Nasreen Ahmad, BAPTC&B President Prof M Mozammel Haque and Prof Sk Shamimul Alam addressed the scientific programme. Prof Dr Hans-Jorg Jacobsen of University of Hannover of Germany delivered the key-note speech.
Ms Chowdhury said the country's agricultural sector couldn't meet the growing demand by traditional methods, which has been possible by breeding through plant biotechnology like tissue culture is a necessity.
She called upon the experts to conduct biotechnological research in order to increase existing food production, ensuring the country's food security  
DU Vice Chancellor Prof Siddique said that Biotechnology is used for the treatment of diseases and the regeneration of missing organs and limbs. It also covers robotics that replaces human parts, gene therapy, biomaterials, genetic engineering, cloning and transplantation.
He however said that achievements in plant biotechnology, have already surpassed all previous expectations, and the future is even more promising and the success depends on innovative research and development activities.
"The world population is expected to reach over 10 billion in the year 2050, while agricultural production is growing at the slower rate of about 1.8 per cent annually" he added.
 "We must bear in mind those global climatic changes, industrialization and urbanisation, have reduced land and water availability and caused alarming deterioration of soil, water and air quality" he added.
He also underscored the need for searching alternative food sources, for example marine or extraterrestrial products, and enhanced efficient plant breeding.
Prof Dr Hans-Jorg Jacobsen in his speech said, 'The position of Bangladesh in the field of BT brinjal is very praiseworthy and credit for this goes to the government of Bangladesh.'
It may be mentioned that a large number of participants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Germany and USA are taking part in this three-day long international conference.