“In order to adapt to the changing world situation, agricultural countries like Bangladesh have to think about new research from now on,” he said. 

He made the remark at an online briefing on 'One CGIAR' organised by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) is was an informal platform comprising 15 global organisations conducting research on agriculture which has now converted to ‘One CGIAR’ officially.

IRRI Director General Dr Matthew Morell informed Minister Abdur Razzak and Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman about ‘One CGIAR’ and its activity in the briefing.

Welcoming One CGIAR's commitment to creating ‘a world free of hunger by 2030’, the minister said the government of Bangladesh will fully support this initiative in the future.

He also hoped that other research institutes, including IRRI, would come forward with extensive support for the agricultural and economic development of Bangladesh.

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Matthew Morell said this initiative will not have any negative impact on the ongoing research activities of IRRI and BRRI in Bangladesh.

Alongside IRRI, 'One CGIAR' initiative includes IFPRI, World Fish, CIMMYT, Africa Rice, ICRISAT, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), World Agro Forestry (ICRAF), The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), International Potato Center (CIP), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Center for International Forestry Research, and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). 

The organisers said they will work together in the future on food and nutrition security, poverty alleviation and quality of life development, gender equality and social inclusion, climate change and the environment and biodiversity.