Speakers at the 15th International Congress on Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction said that biotechnology can play a significant role in alleviating poverty and building a society free from hunger in developing countries like Bangladesh.
The speakers at the two-day congress at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) also said that such technology deserves an extra focus from scientists and functionaries to reach this at the doors of the beneficiaries.
BAU and International Congress on Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction (ICBAR), Japan jointly organised the congress.
Former vice-chancellor of BAU Prof AKM Aminul Haque was present at the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.
Presided over by Prof Gentaro Oguri, president, Association of ICBAR, the inaugural session was attended by BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtar Hossain as chief patron.
Prof Tatsuki Suzuki, vice-president, Association of ICBAR, delivered the welcome address while Organising Secretary of the Congress Prof Md Golam Shahi Alam gave the vote of thanks.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Aminul said that the use of biotechnology in animal production has been making rapid advances worldwide.
Besides host Bangladesh, representatives from Japan, South Korea, China, India, Egypt, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Bulgaria, Sweden and other countries took part in the congress.
Prof Akhtar Hossain said that the objective of the conference is to bring scientists and academicians from all over the world to promote greater understanding of the biotechnological issues, sharing new scientific knowledge and raise awareness of their potential benefits and risks and the implications in terms of needed regulatory framework, institutional capacity building and human resource development.
Prof Oguri said food security and nutritional status of the peoples are under great threat. To improve their nutritional conditions, effective and more sustainable technologies are required for better production of food of animal origin, he added.