ZCZC
BSS-55
RAZZAQUE-BLAST-RESISTANT-WHEAT
High yielding, ‘Blast’ resistant wheat variety to multiply current production: Razzaque
DHAKA, Mar 15, 2021 (BSS)- Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said that the BARI-33, the new ‘Blast’ resistant wheat variety introduced by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI), will increase the wheat production manifold, which will be helpful to meet the market demand of the country.
“Our climate is not perfectly suitable for cultivating wheat. And so, intractable seed diseases like Blast and insect attack reduce the production… With the improved varieties of seeds, large areas of the country will come under wheat cultivation and the cultivation grow larger than before,” the minister said that after inspecting the wheat and maize research field at BWMRI center in Dinajpur’s Nashipur today, said a press release.
“The demand for wheat is increasing day by day. BWMRI will produce improved seeds of the varieties and will be used for cultivation all over the country,” Razzaque said, added the release.
Regarding the attack of corn fruit armyworm insects, the minister said that, “It is under control due to the efforts of International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the scientists of the country. There is no acute problem right now.”
The minister then directed all concerned to introduce newer varieties of wheat and maize and adopt appropriate technologies to meet the challenges of the future, including climate change and bring them to the doorsteps of the farmers.
After inspecting the research field, the agriculture minister inaugurated ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ on the occasion of Mujib Year on BWMRI premises.
Later in the afternoon, the minister inaugurated a four-day ‘Agricultural Technology Exhibition Fair-2021’ on the institute premises and attended a view exchange meeting with officials at the workshop.
BWMRI Director General Dr Md Esrail Hossain presented a keynote address on the overall picture of wheat and maize production, research and development at the workshop.
“The first blast disease occurred in Bangladesh in 2016. The institute has so far developed 36 high yielding wheat varieties. Of these, Bari Wheat 33, which is resistant to blast disease and rich in zinc, is particularly noteworthy,” Dr Esrail said in his speech.
Among others, Whip Iqbalur Rahim, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Mesbahul Islam, Chairman of BADC Dr. Amitabh Sarkar, Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation Arifur Rahman Apu, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Kamalaranjan Director General of the Department Md. Asadullah, Director General of BRI Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Director General of BARI Nazirul Islam, Bangladesh Representative of International Maize and Wheat Development Center-CIMMYT Timothy J. Krupnik were present, at the function.
BSS/PR/RQ/KU/2050 HRS