Dhaka, Jan 8 (IANS) Bangladesh and India Friday agreed on long-term cooperation in agricultural research and technologies, meant to save crops from natural disasters in vast parts of the two neighbouring countries.
“We have agreed to share our experiences in order to increase productivity of pulses, vegetables, fruits, rice, wheat and oilseeds,” Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said after a meeting with her Indian counterpart Sharad Pawar.

The meeting was part of a flurry of talks on a wide range of issues preceding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi visit on Monday when three agreements and some memoranda of understanding are slated to be signed.

Chowdhury said the climatic condition of many parts of India and Bangladesh was similar. “We both have problems of salinity, drought and floods,” she was quoted as saying by Star Online, web site of The Daily Star.

Pawar, a senior leader of India’s ruling United Progressive alliance (UPA), arrived here on a three-day visit.

Chowdhury agreed to visit India soon.

She said scientists from Bangladesh and India would share their expertise on the latest agricultural technologies and see how best they could use them for their own countries to increase productivity.

Asked if they have agreed to exchange any specific crop varieties, as Bangladesh has already developed saline tolerant rice variety - BR-47, while India developed drought-tolerant rice variety, Chowdhury said they have not discussed any specific variety yet.

On salinity in the southwestern parts of Bangladesh and desertification of northern districts because of shortfall of water in the Padma that originates in India, Chowdhury said Prime Minister Hasina would discuss it during her India visit.

Pawar said they agreed to exchange advanced agriculture research, especially for rice production in West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh where there are problems of salinity and cyclone that often destroy crops.

He said they have agreed to work for long-term cooperation in the sector.

India has some breakthroughs in pulse production, which Bangladesh can use, Pawar said.

He said the Indian people were happy that Bangladesh had restored democracy.

“I hope Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India will be able to resolve many problems,” Pawar said.