GNOBB offer their heartiest congratulations to Professor Zeba I. Seraj and her associates at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for developing salt-resistant versions of http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/du-develops-salt-resistant-rice-varieties/ rice varieties–BR11 and BRRI Dhan 28– which are cultivated extensively across the country.  These two varieties are being tested by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in the salinity-affected regions in Satkhira district and adjoining areas.  By using DNA marker assisted breeding, the above team was able to combine both salt tolerance and high yielding characteristics in the same variety.  It was the combined research program of BRRI, Programs in Agriculture and Life Sciences (PALS) of Bangladesh Academy of Science and United States Department of Agriculture (BAS-USDA) and Generation Challenge Program (GCP) that made it possible for the above scientists to develop the new varieties.

Prof. Zaba Seraj of the biochemistry and molecular biology department, Dhaka University  disclosed this at a brief meeting in her department  where US Ambassador Dan Mozena was present for exchange of research ideas between the two countries. The ambassador who was accompanied by  Mr. Mark Tegenfeldt, agriculture development officer at USAID, and Sarwer Sayed Hussain, agricultural specialist at USDA, expressed his satisfaction on this commendable piece of research work being carried out in Dhaka University is not “simply some theoretical, and  academic exercise destined to end up and forgotten on a dusty shelf but is real and has yielded results that farmers can use in their fields.” Please read the story on the 27th August edition of the Daily Star.