DNA of Resilience Powering Bangladesh Agriculture Through Biotechnology

Bangladesh, a low-lying deltaic country situated in South Asia, is acutely vulnerable to climate change. The impact of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, salinity intrusion, frequent flooding, and cyclones poses a serious threat to agriculture, which is the backbone of the nation’s economy and food security. However, over the last few decades, biotechnology has become a strategic tool in enhancing resilience and sustainability in agriculture. As Bangladesh strives to ensure food security amid climate challenges, biotechnology-driven innovations have led the way in building climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Early Beginnings of Biotechnology in Bangladesh’s Agriculture: The roots of agricultural biotechnology in Bangladesh can be traced back to the early 1990s when the government and research institutions began to recognize the potential of biotechnology for addressing various challenges in agriculture. With the increasing concerns about food security, environmental degradation, and climate variability, Bangladesh’s agricultural research agencies sought to employ modern technologies for crop improvement and pest management. One of the earliest breakthroughs was the establishment of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), both of which began investing in biotechnological research to boost crop production.

By the mid-1990s, Bangladesh had made significant strides in research related to crop biotechnology, including the use of tissue culture for the production of disease-free plants and the introduction of genetic engineering techniques for pest-resistant crops. However, it was only in the 2000s, when the global effects of climate change began to intensify, that the government and research institutions increased their focus on climate-resilient crops, livestock, and fisheries through biotechnological solutions. In 2005, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) formalized efforts to coordinate biotechnology research across various national agricultural research systems (NARS).

Role of Biotechnology in Climate-Resilient Crops: Over the years, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in developing biotechnology-driven solutions for agriculture. With changing climate patterns and shrinking arable land, biotechnology has played a key role in enhancing crop productivity, ensuring food security, and improving nutritional quality. Among the most notable successes in crop biotechnology are the development of stress-tolerant rice varieties, which have made a significant impact in flood-prone, drought-prone, and saline-affected regions.The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has been at the forefront of developing rice varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions. One of the standout achievements is BRRI dhan97, a salt-tolerant rice variety developed specifically for coastal regions that are prone to soil salinity. Another important achievement is the Binadhan-14, a heat-tolerant rice variety developed through carbon-ion beam irradiation. This variety can thrive under higher temperatures, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Binadhan-19, a drought-tolerant variety, is also an important innovation, ensuring food security in water-scarce regions.

In addition to traditional breeding methods, the application of genetic modification has been a major milestone in Bangladesh's agricultural biotechnology efforts. Golden Rice, genetically modified to address vitamin A deficiency, is currently nearing regulatory approval. Its development could have a transformative impact on the nutritional landscape of Bangladesh, where vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health concern. Similarly, Bt Brinjal, the genetically engineered brinjal, was the first commercially released GM crop in South Asia, helping reduce pesticide use by 80% and increasing farmers' profitability.

These developments underscore the growing capacity of Bangladesh’s agricultural research community to address climate-related challenges through biotechnology. By improving crop resilience and nutritional value, biotechnology has provided a powerful tool to ensure food security under climate stress.

Biotechnology in Livestock and Fisheries: Biotechnology’s impact is not limited to crops; it has also proven to be a valuable tool in the livestock and fisheries sectors, which are highly vulnerable to climate change. Bangladesh’s livestock sector faces numerous challenges, including rising temperatures, disease outbreaks, and poor productivity. To address these challenges, the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) has been developing heat-tolerant livestock breeds and improving disease diagnostics.

Through genomic selection and cross-breeding programs, the BLRI has successfully developed Sonali-3, an improved poultry breed that is more resistant to heat stress, and Black Bengal goats, which are well-adapted to the country’s tropical climate. Additionally, molecular techniques such as ELISA and PCR have been employed to improve disease diagnostics, enabling early detection and more effective control of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which are exacerbated by climate change.

Similarly, biotechnology has been a game-changer in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector, particularly in response to saline intrusion and rising water temperatures. The GIFT Tilapia (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia) is one of the most successful biotech innovations in this area, with 30% higher growth and adaptability to brackish water, making it ideal for aquaculture in coastal regions. Other genetically improved fish strains, such as Pangas, are also more resistant to heat and have higher survival rates, which is critical in an era of changing water temperatures. Furthermore, genetic fingerprinting techniques are being used to protect biodiversity, ensuring the sustainability of native fish species like Ruhi, Catla, and Tengra.
Achievements and Ongoing Research: Today, Bangladesh is home to several research institutions that have become global leaders in agricultural biotechnology. The Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) has been instrumental in applying mutation breeding to improve crops, while the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) is leading research into disease-resistant shrimp strains and the use of cryopreservation techniques to preserve fish sperm.In addition to crop and livestock innovations, biotechnology has been applied to the development of biofertilizers and biopesticides, which offer more sustainable alternatives to chemical inputs. For example, rhizobial biofertilizers are improving soil health and increasing yields in low-input farming systems, while biopesticides derived from native microbial strains are reducing the environmental impact of chemical pesticides.

The OFANS (Oilseed, Fiber, and Other Crops Advancement through New Technology-based Solutions) project, coordinated by BARC, is also advancing biotechnology applications in the development of salt- and drought-tolerant mustard, sesame, jute, and cotton varieties. These crops, which are essential to Bangladesh’s food and fiber security, are increasingly being adapted to adverse agro-climatic conditions using biotechnological tools.

Current Challenges and Gaps: Despite these remarkable achievements, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of biotechnology in Bangladesh. Public awareness of the benefits of biotechnology and biosafety remains limited, which has contributed to slow regulatory processes for the approval of genetically modified (GM) crops. For instance, while Golden Rice holds great promise for combating micronutrient deficiencies, its regulatory clearance has faced significant delays, highlighting a critical gap in the country’s biotech regulatory framework.

Moreover, there is a need to strengthen distribution networks for biotech seeds, fingerlings, and vaccines to ensure that smallholder farmers have access to these climate-resilient resources. While public sector research has made significant progress, private sector involvement in biotechnology research and development (R&D) remains relatively weak. There is also a lack of a comprehensive strategy for the commercialization of biotech products, which has slowed the uptake of biotechnology innovations in agriculture.

Policy Recommendations and the Path Forward: To overcome these challenges and accelerate the adoption of biotechnology for climate-resilient agriculture, several policy measures are essential. First, it is crucial to expedite the approval process for GM crops and veterinary products, ensuring that innovative biotech solutions can reach farmers in a timely manner. Second, there is a need for more public-private partnerships to commercialize biotech innovations, which would help bridge the gap between research and real-world application.Investing in regional biotech laboratories and decentralizing research capabilities will also help foster innovation in underrepresented areas. Expanding biotech education and training in agricultural universities is another important step in building the human capacity necessary for future biotech developments. Finally, providing financial incentives, such as input subsidies and credit support, would encourage farmers to adopt climate-resilient biotech solutions.

Biotechnology has become an indispensable tool in Bangladesh's agricultural transformation. With climate change threatening food security and agricultural productivity, biotechnology-driven innovations offer a lifeline. From climate-resilient crops like BRRI dhan97 to heat-tolerant GIFT Tilapia, biotechnology is enabling Bangladesh to adapt to climate challenges and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. However, to fully realize its potential, Bangladesh must address regulatory, infrastructural, and public awareness gaps. With continued investment, research, and policy reforms, biotechnology has the potential to become the cornerstone of a climate-resilient agricultural future for Bangladesh.


Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is a
Specialist (Technical) &
Research Adviser at Krishi
Gobeshona Foundation. She holds a PhD in Agronomy, MSc in Climate Change and Development, and is a John Dillon Fellow of ACIAR, Australia.