'Smart farmers are needed to make agriculture smart' – BAU Vice Chancellor

"Our country needs to use smart agriculture tools for agricultural development. If the technology lags, the country's development will be hindered. Smart farmers are required to make the country's agriculture smart. Besides, agricultural graduates have to work in the prosperity of agriculture," remarked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, at the 3rd Biennial International Conference held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).   

He also mentioned that although Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food, there is a shortage of protein demand. Fish protein production can reduce environmental pollution. Fisheries graduates can play a special role in this sector. Local fish is in high demand due to its taste.

On Saturday (February 17), at 10 am in Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall of the University, the Faculty of Fisheries Science and Fisheries Society of Bangladesh (FSB) organised a two-day international conference titled 'Smart Aquaculture and Fishing in Achieving SDGs'. During the event, the main article was presented by Prof. Dr. Harunur Rashid of the Fisheries Management Department.

In the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Md. Samchul Alam, president of FSB, chaired the conference. Rear Admiral (Retd.) Md Khurshed Alam, BN, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was present as the chief guest. 

The chief patron was Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Emdadul Haque Chowdhury. Special guests were Professor Dr. Md Anwarul Islam, former Vice-Chancellor, prof. Dr A. K. M. Nowsad Alam, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries; Mr Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, chairman, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation; Mr Md Nazrul Islam, Director, Department of Fisheries; Dr Mohosena Begum Tonu, Director, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Dr Nathu Ram Sarker, Executive Director, Krishi Gobeshona Foundation(KGF). About 300 domestic and foreign scientists participated in the conference.

Admiral (Retd.) Md. Khurshed Alam said commercial finfish, shellfish, and seaweed are essential to the blue economy. Recently, Bangladesh has shown breakthrough success in self-sufficiency in fisheries production. The country now ranks 3rd in global inland open-water fish production and 5th in global aquaculture system fish production. And if this huge fish resource can be brought into a science-based system, it will enrich the country's blue economy.

The two-day conference will present 170 oral research articles, 70 posters, and 13 keynotes.

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