Dr. Mirza Mofazzal Islam, director general, and Dr. Shamsun Nahar Begum, chief scientific officer and Plant Breeding Division head, both of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), paid a courtesy visit to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 23 October 2023.
Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture officials visit SEARCA.
BINA, formerly known as Atomic Energy Agricultural Research Centre, is a national institute prominent for its well-equipped laboratories and field research facilities.
The visitors were briefed on SEARCA's mandate, programs, and services.
During the meeting, Dr. Islam discussed BINA's mission and focus areas. "BINA's mission is to double agricultural productivity through sustainable use of soil, water, and other resources," Dr. Islam shared. "BINA has succeeded in developing and releasing 125 modern varieties of important crops using nuclear techniques," he added.
To achieve its mission, Dr. Islam explained that they invested in state-of-the-art facilities and technology. BINA currently has one regional office and 13 substations in various parts of Bangladesh. It has 11 research divisions focusing on plant breeding, crop physiology, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural engineering, agronomy, adaptive research and extension, biotechnology, horticulture, and agricultural economics.
Moreover, Dr. Islam showcased BINA's full-forced manpower, which included 170 scientists, 76 officers, and 328 employees.
The visitors were welcomed by a SEARCA delegation led by Director Dr. Glenn Gregorio. With them in the meeting were Assoc. Prof. Joselito Florendo, deputy director for administration; Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, senior program head, Education and Collective Learning; Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, program head, Research and Thought Leadership; Atty. Eric Reynoso, program head, Emerging Innovation for Growth; Ms. Corinta Guerta, technical advisor to the director; Ms. Sharon Malaiba, unit head, Partnerships; and Partnerships Unit staff. They were also given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING).
BINA officials were given a tour of the SEARCA Hub for Agriculture and Rural Innovation for the Next Generation (SHARING).