USDA, USAID hold virtual media tour for Bangladeshi agricultural journalists

The State Department, through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Agency for International Development (USAID) at the US Embassy in Bangladesh, has organised a virtual media tour for Bangladeshi agricultural journalists.

The media tour titled “The Role of Innovative Technologies in Addressing Agricultural Challenges” was held Tuesday to discuss science-based reporting on innovative agricultural technologies, including biotechnology, with media professionals and the vast potential of this innovative technology to improve outcomes for farmers, the environment, and consumers, according to a press release.

“These new technologies promise to speed up crop development, ensure farmers have access to more sustainable solutions, and give consumers safe, affordable access to food,” said US Embassy Agricultural Attaché Megan Francic.

Arif Hossain, chief executive officer and executive director of Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), a science-based communication and community engagement organisation, moderated the virtual tour.

The virtual tour was part of a series of events to be organised in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 

The tour provided an overview of communication practices in agricultural reporting, as well as the current status and importance of agricultural biotechnology in Bangladesh.  Specific topics included genome editing, productivity, biosafety, food safety, consumption and diversified use, and regulatory challenges, read the release.

Senior journalists from seven print media outlets attended the media tour.

They interacted with speakers and shared their views on the status, prospects, and challenges of agricultural biotechnology. 

The journalists said that agricultural news needs to be data-driven and represent the science correctly. They also noted the importance of the media staying updated with the fast-paced innovations in agriculture at the national and international levels.

In a session titled, “Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Development: impacts, challenges, and opportunities in Bangladesh,” Dhaka University Professor Rakha Hari Sarker and BRAC University Professor Aparna Islam talked about the significance of advancements in agricultural biotechnology and its potential to mitigate the effects of climate change and address “hidden hunger,” or nutrient deficiency.

They also emphasised the role of the media and communication professionals in disseminating evidence-based information.