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Long way to go

5 || risingbd.com

Published: 12:02, 12 February 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Long way to go

Bangladeshi scientists’ work disclosing the genome sequence of jute has earned them international recognition. Recognition of three genome codes of jute is the biggest achievement for Bangladesh. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury informed the parliament about the groundbreaking success of the country on Thursday.

Matia, also the Awami League presidium member, told the parliament that US agency National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has given the numbers for the codes of three genome sequences. She also informed that the outcome of the Bangladeshi scientists’ research was published in the Nature Plants journal on January 30.

Late professor Dr Maqsudul Alam and his team made global headlines for discovering the genome sequence of ‘Tosha’ jute -- the Jute Plant Draft Genome – in June, 2010. In August 2013, the team has sequenced the DNA of the traditional variety of jute known as ‘Tosha’. As a result, the image of Bangladesh is upheld to the world.

Dr Maqsudul died in a US hospital in December 2014 a year after the discovery of the genome sequence of jute. The conquest continued as the team members sequenced the DNA make-up of a fungus (Macrophomina Phaseolina) which reduces yield time of more than 500 species of crops including jute, tobacco, cotton, maize, soybean and sunflower in the following years.

According to experts, this sequencing will help improve the length and quality of the fiber. It will also help develop high yielding variety of the crop, including colour, strength, saline soil-and pest-resistant jute varieties.

Once upon a time Jute was the country's cash crop. This jute was also a major portion of export trading. But jute falls under a challenge over time due to the discovery of synthetic fiber and the jute loses its position slowly. New hopes of getting back the lost heritage arose again as a result of the discovery of the genome sequence of jute three years back.

Bangladeshi scientists’ international recognition for discovering the genome sequence of jute will inspire us undoubtedly. But it should not be right to post a pause in this stage. We will have to go a long way. We expect the scientists will continue their research. They can make the jute as main cash crop again like before.

We welcome the present government for its continued financial and policy help for getting the numbers for the codes of three genome sequences of jute from US agency National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). We think we should pay due attention to boosting the market of jute in and outside the country after the consecutive breakthroughs. For this, adequate incentives should be given to the jute farmers and at the same time due market price of jute should be ensured. Otherwise, the significance of the gained success will be pale.

risingbd/DHAKA/Feb 12, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Amirul

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