Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has advised agronomists on food conservation, reduction of post-harvest losses, use of nutrition science and modern technology and innovation of climate-tolerant varieties of crops. He made the suggestion when a Canadian delegation visited him at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganobhaban on Sunday (May 8th).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister MM Imrul Kayes said this.CBE, Director of Strategic Partnership and Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Visher of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, led the four-member delegation. The other members of the delegation are the Vice President (Research) of Saskatchewan University. Dr. Balajit Singh, Bangabandhu Research Chair in Food Security (GIFS) of this university. Andrew Sharp and Lily Nichols, Canadian High Commissioner to Dhaka.
At the same time, Sheikh Hasina said that relations between Bangladesh and Canada started even before the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state on December 16, 1971. He recalled with gratitude the request made by the then Trudeau government of Canada to peacefully hand over power to the elected representatives of Pakistan when the Awami League led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh, won the general election on December 6, 1970.
“The Canadian government continues to support us during our liberation war,” he said. Canada (February 14, 1972) was one of the few countries that immediately recognized Bangladesh after independence.
Last year, the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada opened its regional office in Dhaka to enhance collaboration between researchers from agricultural research institutes in Canada and Bangladesh. The delegation has come to visit this office.
During the meeting, Stephen Visher said that they would provide all kinds of technical assistance to the regional office of GIFS in Dhaka.
Dr. Balajit Singh said that if anyone goes to Saskatchewan University for higher education, they will give him all possible help. The delegation also expressed interest in working on the multifaceted use and reproduction of jackfruit in Bangladesh.
At this time, among others were present – Agriculture Minister. Md. Abdur Razzak, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Ahmed Kaikaus, Secretary of Agriculture. Saidul Islam and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (BARC) executive chairman. Sheikh Mohammad Bokhtiyar.
The Saskatchewan region is known as the breadbasket of Canada. The university located there. It is one of the most prestigious universities in both research and academic excellence.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between BARC and BIFS, Saskatchewan University on February 10, 2020. Through this, a partnership in agricultural research and development was formed between the two institutions
