Dhaka – Bangladeshi government on Monday approved a draft law aiming at capacity building of the institutions related to researches on agriculture, officials said.

The cabinet headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave go ahead to the draft of The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (Bari) Bill, 2016’ at a meeting, said Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam.

He said Bari will run necessary core researches on checking the adverse impacts of climate change, discovering new varieties of crops adaptable to climate change and installing CT in the agriculture sector.

Bangladesh’s agriculture research institute came into being through an ordinance of the military regime in 1976. The law was amended twice — in 1984 and in 1996.

But it needs further amendment in line with the global advancement, said the official adding that the world advanced a lot in agriculture sector using innovative ideas and newer technologies to boost production.

The institute will now have an 11-member Board of Directors with the DG of the institute as the Chairman to be appointed by the government. The Director General of Bari will take into consideration its annual budget allocation, administrative work, audit and property management.

Two agriculture scientists nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture will be in the board and a representative from a private organisation working on agricultural research will also be appointed.

The board will formulate and approve outlines of operating research and take measures to explore new varieties of crops and ensure stable agriculture research.

It will also give information and technology to the farmers as well as conduct researches on various problems of agriculture.

Bari will also arrange exhibition on new varieties of crops, bring out publications and booklets on new crops, said Alam.

Training to the researchers, officials and employees of the Agriculture Extension Department will also be conducted through the institution.

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