Experts and agricultural journalists from Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines have stressed the importance of evidence-based knowledge sharing and informed policy decisions to ensure sustainable food security.

They also laid emphasis on a better understanding of agricultural biotechnology and relevant policy issues.

Farming Future Bangladesh in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Department of State, organized the regional media roundtable titled, “The Role of Innovative Technologies in Addressing Agricultural Challenges" on Monday. 

The roundtable followed previous country-specific “virtual tours” organized in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines to encourage collaboration between journalists, farmers, and scientists on educating the public about the benefits and importance of agricultural biotechnology.

“The media plays an important role in reaching and engaging a wide range of audiences and stakeholders with science and fact-based reporting and debunking myths about agricultural biotechnology and agricultural innovations,” said Helen LaFave, Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. 

She also said “biotechnology offers proven and effective tools to sustainably expand production, address global hunger and nutritional deficiencies, and respond to adverse growing conditions.”

Media experts on agriculture interacted with speakers and expressed their views on consumer acceptance and effective marketing of genetically engineered crops. 

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The group emphasized publishing more research-based work to allow consumers to differentiate between the myths and facts about gene edited crops.

Participants exchanged their views and proposed ways forward on agricultural innovation and sustainable agricultural practice. 

Md. Arif Hossain, CEO & Executive Director of Farming Future Bangladesh, moderated the virtual round table discussion. 

Scientists and experts from Indonesia, Philippines, and Bangladesh also gave technical presentations on effective applications of agricultural biotechnology in their respective countries.