Diversity protection can help boost food security, say speakers

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RAJSHAHI, April 2, 2017 (BSS)- Disseminating their indigenous knowledge and expertise, some grassroots aged farmers unanimously mentioned that protection of plant diversity can be the vital means of boosting food security.

They viewed as many as 29 non-conventional plant varieties have both food and medicinal ingredients and values immensely. So, there should have adequate measures of protecting and conserving the varieties together with familiarizing those at consumers’ level.

The observation came in a community school titled “Importance of Plant
Diversity and Ecosystem” at Bilnepalpara village under Paba Upazila of the district yesterday afternoon. More than 100 people including 50 youths joined the programme.

On the occasion, they also visited some farming plots of various non-
conventional and indigenous crops.

Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), a non-
government research organization, hosted the programme in association with Bilnepalpara Farmers Club and Youth Organization.

National Environment Award winner Yousuf Ali Molla and BARCIK Barind
Regional Manager Shahidul Islam addressed the discussion as focal persons.Farmers Nurul Islam, Amrita Kumar Sarker and Sultana Khatun also spoke.