South Asian leaders call for increased agricultural research investment

In Bangladesh, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for increased investment in agricultural research and improved facilities for scientists to boost production. During a visit to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, the President emphasized the importance of technology and high-yielding rice varieties in achieving food surplus. He also highlighted the need for fair pricing for paddy to prevent farmers from shifting to alternative crops and suggested subsidies to ensure food security.

In Pakistan, Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain is seeking closer cooperation with the international research organization CIMMYT to enhance wheat production. The goal is to move beyond self-sufficiency toward becoming an exporter. Hussain stressed the need for better seeds, genomic research, and climate-resilient crop varieties to meet the needs of a population of approximately 260 million and to address the productivity gap caused by rising input costs and climate change.