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Post-harvest technology and SAU

7 January 2005, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Professor M Zahidul Haque Chairman, Department of Language, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
7 January 2005, 18:00 PM
With economic development, people's dietary preference is changing. During the last few years, the demand for fruits and vegetables has increased tremendously. But unfortunately in our country about 40 to 50 per cent of fruits and vegetables produced suffer from post-harvest losses. Now time has arrived when we should pay serious attention to the development of post-harvest knowledge and technology. Fruits and vegetables are not only important from the dietary stand point but this is a profitable economic sector. If managed scientifically, the country can earn a huge amount of foreign exchange from fruits and vegetables .

To cultivate and to perpetuate post harvest knowledge, the agricultural universities of the country have to come forward. Considering its great importance, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) has introduced a new discipline under the name of 'Post-harvest Technology' in the Horticulture Department and it has already started its instructional and research activities.

Application of Biotechnology to develop new varieties of fruits and vegetables to meet prolong storage requirements can add great value to post-harvest management. With a view to bringing crop improvement and developing new varieties, the SAU has also opened a new Department of Biotechnology which is yet to start its function.

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It is to be mentioned here that the SAU is trying its best to contribute effectively in the development of country's agriculture and to enhance food production. But as ill luck would have it, these activities are being constrained due to lack of necessary funds. In fact, to procure modern scientific equipment and to develop infrastructure, a development scheme of SAU is awaiting final approval of the ECNEC.

To speak frankly, in spite of very many criticisms, the SAU is destined to bring changes in Bangladesh agriculture through modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture. So, we sincerely hope that the government would approve the development project of SAU at the earliest with a view to assisting SAU to attain its goal towards economic emancipation of the country.