Experts at a regional workshop have laid emphasis on comprehensive efforts of all stakeholders and adoption of latest technologies for controlling wheat blast disease to boost wheat yield rate.
They expressed the views at the workshop titled “Wheat blast disease management in Rangpur region and boosting wheat yield” held at the conference room of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) in the city on Monday.
The Wheat Research Centre (WRC) of BARI at Dinajpur organised the workshop with assistance of the On-farm Research Division (OFRD) of the Agriculture Research Centre at BARI in Rangpur, a press release said here on Tuesday.
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research through the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center extended financial assistance in arranging the daylong workshop.
Officials, experts, scientists, researchers and agriculturists of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), BARI, Haji Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation, Seed Certification Agency and different NGOs and farmers of Rangpur region participated in the workshop.
Director (Research) of BARI from its Headquarters Dr Muhammad Jalal Uddin attended the workshop as the chief guest with Director of Dinajpur WRC Dr Naresh Chandra Deb Barma in the chair.
Member of the Board of Management of BARI Dr Md Masudul Kader was present as the guest of honour while Rangpur Regional Additional Director of the DAE Md Shah Alam addressed the event as the special guest.
Principal Scientific Officer of BARI at Rangpur Dr Md Mazharul Anwar delivered welcome speech putting importance on proper management of wheat blast disease to substantially boost wheat production for food security.
Dr Naresh Chandra Barma and Chief Scientific Officer at Dinajpur WRC Dr Paritosh Kumar Malakar delivered presentations on ‘Present situation of wheat cultivation, strategy for increasing production and future planning’ and ‘Wheat blast disease and controlling of the disease’ respectively as the resource persons.
The experts discussed about the prospect for further expansion of wheat cultivation and increasing its production in Rangpur region, necessity of creating awareness about wheat blast disease and forwarded suggestions to control and contain the disease and related issues.
The chief guest stressed on concerted efforts for ensuring integrated management to control wheat blast disease adopting effective technologies for increasing production of the cereal crop to improve livelihoods and life standard of farmers in the region.
