DHAKA, Dec 12, 2021 (BSS) - The regional office of the Global Institute for 
Food Security (GIFS) of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, was opened on 
the premises of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) in the 
capital today.

  Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque inaugurated the office at BARC this 
morning.

  This office will establish research collaboration between agricultural 
research institutes of Bangladesh and Canada and will help the agricultural 
researchers of the country acquire advanced knowledge and skills in 
addressing the climate change-induced challenges in agriculture sector, a 
ministry press release said.
  
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Razzaque said the Saskatchewan region has a 
worldwide reputation for producing multiple and quality agro-food. 

  As a result of opening this office in Dhaka, he said, their technology and 
experience can be utilised and cooperation will be further strengthened 
between Bangladesh and Canada in the field of agriculture.

  The agriculture minister said during the tenure of the present government, 
a remarkable success was achieved in agriculture sector of the country. 

  But there are many challenges to face in the future to sustain and increase 
the growth of agricultural production, he said.

  Razzaque hoped that the GIFS regional office would play an important role 
in addressing these challenges and making food security sustainable.

  David Merritt, agriculture minister of the Saskatchewan provincial 
government in Canada, virtually spoke on the occasion.

  During the inauguration ceremony, an agreement was signed between GIFS and 
BARC in setting up the office in Dhaka. BARC executive chairman Dr Sheikh 
Mohammad Bakhtiar and GIFS chief operating officer Stephen Visher signed the 
deal on behalf of their respective sides.

  Senior Secretary of the ministry Md Mesbahul Islam, Canadian High 
Commissioner in Dhaka Benoit Prefontaine, Bangladesh Ambassador to Canada Dr 
Khalilur Rahman, Bangabandhu Research Chair at GIFS Andrew Sharp, vice-
president (research) at the University of Saskatchewan Dr Baljit Singh and 
additional secretary of the ministry Md Ruhul Amin Talukder also spoke.