Faith leaders can play key role in agro-biotech promotion: Speakers

Imams and Islamic scholars can play a significant role in promoting agro-biotechnology in the country, speakers told a discussion on Monday.

“Religious belief and faith leaders play an instrumental role in driving mass acceptance of agricultural innovations,” Md Arif Hossain, chief executive officer and executive director of Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), said in his welcome speech.

He said adopting gifts of fact-driven improvements is critical and culturally important for food security in Bangladesh.

“We need more food and nutrition to tackle food adulteration and ensure the availability of safe food,” he told the roundtable titled “Knowledge Sharing on Agricultural Science and Innovation in Islamic Sharia”, which was organised by FFB at Lions Foundation Auditorium in the capital’s Agargaon.

Islamic scholars and academicians discussed the need to share fact-based scientific information to improve social awareness and acceptance of modern agricultural innovations and agro-biotechnology, including gene editing.

Ubaidullah Al Kafi, director of Ershadul Ummah, said Islamic scholars strongly support the concept and process of biotechnology because it has beneficial effects on the welfare of mankind.

Shaykh Ahmadullah, chairman of As-Sunnah Foundation, said the Shariah approves of worldly methods ensuring human good and that is why agricultural innovations are considered Halal.

Dr Md Tofazzal Islam, founding director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University, talked about the application and usefulness of agro-biotechnology and gene editing in Bangladesh.

He said science and religion are not conflicting and agricultural innovations should be emphasised to ensure sufficient food for Bangladesh.

Khatibs of different mosques participated in the discussion and learned about the benefits of adopting agro-biotechnology.

FFB is a comprehensive communication and community engagement organisation that aims to improve access to modern agricultural innovations, including agricultural biotechnology, for sustainable food security in Bangladesh.