Sustainable food security hinges on field-level application of research, experts emphasise

Agriculture experts have emphasised the need to deliver the outcomes of agricultural research to farmers more swiftly to ensure sustainable food security in Bangladesh.

They made the call at a discussion held yesterday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka, marking World Food Day. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Speaking as the chief guest, Md Masudul Hasan, secretary of the Ministry of Food, said, "To achieve food security, we must modernise agricultural research and ensure that its outcomes reach farmers directly. Research cannot remain confined to laboratories; it must be effectively implemented in the field."

He further emphasised closer collaboration between researchers, teachers, students, and agricultural institutions with field-level farmers to make innovations more impactful.

Presiding over the discussion, Md Abu Zubair Hossain Bablu, additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, said, "We must continue food production while facing the challenges of climate change. As sea levels rise, new lands are also being formed through river erosion. If these lands are used properly, the risk of food shortages can be reduced."

He added that globalisation has increased food demand, making collaborative efforts essential to safeguard food security.

Special guests at the event included Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Dia Sanou, FAO representative in Bangladesh; and Valantine Achancho, IFAD country representative.

The keynote paper was presented by Khondaker Md Iftekharuddoula, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Bangladesh Agricultural University. The event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony for winners of a thematic poster drawing competition held in observance of World Food Day.