BD decodes genome of salinity tolerant rice varieties

Staff Correspondent: The scientists of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) have decoded the genomes of four salinity and submergence tolerant rice varieties.
Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzak made the announcement while addressing a press conference at Mymensingh yesterday.
Following the achievement, a new horizon has been unlocked in rice research in Bangladesh.
The minister said that around two million hectares of land in the country is affected by salinity. These lands produce one crop a year. Following the genome sequence, innovation and expansion of salinity and submergence tolerant paddy to be easier.
“Our goal has always been to produce nutritious food in high volumes,” the minister said adding, “With this (genome sequencing) not only we will be able to meet local demand, but also be able to export,” he added.