Canada wants to help Bangladesh in tackling climate change-induced challenges, faced by the country's agriculture sector, and ensuring sustainable food security.
As part of its efforts, the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at Saskatchewan University, Canada opened its regional office at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) at Farmgate in the city on Sunday.
It will also help local agricultural scientists gather up-to-date knowledge on agriculture.
While inaugurating the office at BARC, Agriculture Minister Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque said Saskatchewan province of Canada has a reputation for producing international-standard and diversified agricultural products.
He also expressed the hope that with the inauguration of this regional office, cooperation on agriculture between Bangladesh and Canada will be strengthened in the days to come.
"Opening of the GIFS office here will help promote cooperation on agricultural research between the offices of Bangladesh and Canada," he said.
The GIFS office will also help in enhancing the knowledge of local agricultural scientists, maintaining the present growth of agriculture and ensuring food security in the country, he added.
The minister said Bangladesh had made a tremendous success in agricultural production during the tenure of the present government. "But still many challenges lie ahead as we have to boost the present growth in the agriculture sector."
He hoped that the GIFS regional office at BARC in Dhaka will help ensure sustainable food security and tackle the challenges due to adverse impacts of climate change.
Agriculture Minister of Saskatchewan province of Canada David Marit was virtually connected with the inaugural ceremony here in Bangladesh.
Through the opening of this office, he said, cooperation between Bangladesh and Canada will be strengthened further. The two countries will also work together to face the growing challenges of food security and meet the growing demand for foods, he added.
Earlier, GIFS-Canada and BARC signed an agreement before opening the office in Dhaka.
Executive Chairman of BARC Dr Sheikh Mohammad Bokhtiar and Chief Operating Officer of GIFS-Canada signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
Senior secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam, Canadian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Benoit Prefontaine were present at the event among others, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
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