Satkhira Correspondent:

Crop production has become a big challenge in the coastal areas of Satkhira due to climate change and increasing salinity. A regional workshop titled expansion of salt-tolerant crop varieties and technology without innovation and inclusion in existing cropping patterns was held.
The workshop was held on Monday (November 17) afternoon at the conference room of Bangladesh Atomic Agricultural Research Institute (BINA), Satkhira Sub-Center under the BINA Research Extension Strengthening Project.
The workshop was chaired by Md. Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Khulna Region, while BINA Director General Dr. Shariful Haque Bhuiyan attended as chief guest.
BINA Director (Research) Dr. Md. Hossain Ali, BINA Research Extension Strengthening Project Deputy Director Dr. Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Satkhira Md. Saiful Islam, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of BINA Research Extension Project Dr. Md. Mahbubul Alam Tafadar and Chief Scientific Officer of BINA Sub-Center in Satkhira Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman among others were also present in the programme.
Experts at the workshop said that, due to climate change and increased salinity, crop production has become a big challenge in the coastal region.
In such a situation, Bina-invented short-term, salt-tolerant and high-yielding varieties are very promising for farmers. Through these varieties, production costs are decreasing, new crops are being added to the cropping pattern and more yield is being obtained in one season. As a result, farmers’ income is also increasing.
Dr. Shariful Haque Bhuiyan said that, the impact of salinity is the highest in the coastal region especially in Satkhira. Along with BINA-invented technology and rice, new innovations in pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and arable land management will be great helpful to the farmers. He emphasized on providing training to the farmers at the field level and rapid expansion of suitable varieties.
Md. Rafiqul Islam said that, it is now very important to change the cropping pattern in the current agricultural system and include more profitable and climate-tolerant varieties. BINA and DAE will jointly strengthen this initiative.
Agricultural officers, deputy assistant agricultural officers and local farmers from different upazilas of Satkhira participated in the workshop. They highlighted their field experience, use of technology, problems and prospects.