Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) and Japan’s International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) have signed a research collaboration agreement to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly and climate-resilient soybean production in Bangladesh, aiming to reduce crop losses and strengthen domestic production. The agreement was signed at GAU by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mustafizur Rahman and JIRCAS Program Director Dr. Keisuke Omori on 4th November (wednesday), building on more than a decade of research collaboration between the two institutions.
The project will focus on developing an effective disease management system by combining rust-resistant soybean varieties with appropriate fungicide applications. Researchers will investigate Asian Soybean Rust and Cercospora leaf blight, assess disease prevalence and fungicide resistance, and evaluate non-GM, rust-resistant varieties developed by JIRCAS and its South American partners for adaptability and commercial potential in Bangladesh. If unsuitable, locally adapted resistant varieties will be developed through breeding program. The research will also assess the economic and environmental benefits of integrated disease management. Highlighting the initiative's national importance, GAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mustafizur Rahman said, “Soybean is a major source of plant-based protein, essential for human nutrition and animal feed.
Increasing domestic production and reducing import dependence are vital to meeting Bangladesh’s growing protein demand. We hope this partnership will deliver locally adapted, disease-resistant varieties and sustainable production technologies, benefiting farmers and strengthening national food and nutritional security.” GAU has already developed six soybean varieties with distinct characteristics through its Department of Agronomy. These varieties are currently cultivated on approximately 68,000 hectares across Bangladesh, particularly in the charlands of Noakhali, Bhola and Lakshmipur. The signing ceremony was attended by JIRCAS Senior Researchers Dr. Yamanaka Naoki and Dr. Sasaki Kazuhiro, GAU Director (Research) Professor Dr. Md. Moshiul Islam, project lead researcher Professor Dr. Md. Motaher Hossain, Director of IQAC Professor Dr. Nasrin Akter Ivy and Associate Professor Dr. Liakat Ali of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. The partnership is expected to strengthen Bangladesh-Japan research cooperation, improve soybean productivity, support farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to long-term food and feed security.
