Mymensingh: The Fourth National Conference of the Bangladesh Society of Plant Science and Technology (BSPS and T) has commenced at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), with its focus on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. The event, which spans two days, was officially inaugurated by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor A. K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, and is set to bring together researchers, teachers, and students from various universities and research institutions across the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this year's theme, 'Plant Science for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture,' was central to the main session held at the Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall at noon. The conference is chaired by BSPS and T President and former Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Professor Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, with a keynote speech delivered by retired BAU Professor of Crop Botany, Dr. Md. Solaiman Ali Fakir.
Dr. Fakir's presentation highlighted the intensifying challenges in agriculture due to climate change, including salinity, drought, waterlogging, and high temperatures. He stressed the importance of conserving plant genetic diversity and promoting the use of local and underutilized crops to achieve sustainable agriculture under these conditions. He noted the adaptation of many indigenous plant species in Bangladesh, with traits such as salt tolerance in coastal crops and water-conservation capacity in drought-prone varieties, opening new possibilities for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
He further emphasized the potential of underutilized crops like cassava, pigeon pea, and roselle, which require minimal resources and are nutrient-rich, in contributing to future food security. Vice-Chancellor Professor A. K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan reinforced the importance of plant diversity in combating climate change, advocating for the preservation of indigenous plant traits to enhance the resilience of sustainable agricultural systems.
Dr. Md. Abdul Baset Mia, General Secretary of BSPS and T and Professor at Gazipur Agricultural University, announced that 127 research papers will be presented at the conference, comprising 57 oral presentations and 70 poster presentations, across 10 thematic areas including plant science, physiology, anatomy, climate resilience, food security, and contemporary agricultural innovations. The first day will conclude with an afternoon oral presentation session, and the conference will continue with both poster and oral sessions tomorrow, with awards for the best presenters from each session.