BARI launches LB-resistant potato variety

FE Report | Published: May 16, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has developed a late blight (LB)-resistant potato variety which is the first of its kind in the country.
LB is a disease caused by phytophthora infetsans which do heavy damage to potato crop across the globe.
The institute has also claimed that the variety, namely BARI Alu 46 (LB-7), is an inbreed variety and it is also resistant to drought and viruses.
A conference marking the launch of the newly-released LB resistant potato variety was held at a city hotel Wednesday. It was organised jointly by BARI, International Potato Centre (CIP), the World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC) and USAID.
Two new varieties of sweet potato, namely BARI SP-12 and BARI SP-13, contain Vitamin-A and Beta carotene was also launched at the conference.
Agriculture secretary Dr Nazmul Islam was present as the chief guest while Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) executive director Dr Kamal Uddin, Department of Agriculture Extension director general Md Abu Hanif Miah, BARI director general Rafiqul Islam Mondal, Agriculture Seed Wing head Anwar Faruqe, USAID acting mission director Paul Sabatine anf chief of party at USAID Horticulture Project Dr Shawkat A. Begum among others spoke.
CIP director for Asia Dr Julian Parr chaired the programme.
BARI in collaboration with CIP under the USAID Horticulture Project programme developed the potato varieties, officials said.
Dr Nazmul Islam said that the LB was causing losses to the farmers every year.
He expressed his optimism that the varieties would be accepted by the farmers.
Anwar Faruqe pointed out that every year farmers were being deprived of fair prices.
Apart from applying modern technology, a time-befitting marketing policy was needed to help farmers recoup production cost, he added.
Potato storage facilities should be increased, he also said.
Rafiqul Islam Mondal said that potato was now playing a vital role in agricultural economy.
The new variety would reduce production cost and increase output.
USAID Horticulture Project officials Dr Mohammad Hossain and Dr E H M Shofiur Rahman presented two papers on the new varieties.
BARI, using imported CIP clones and Bangladeshi indigenous variety developed the LB.