Agrilife24.com:An inception workshop on validating and scaling up aflatoxin biocontrol technology in maize-growing areas of Bangladesh was held on Monday (9 November 2026) at the Conference Room of the Cotton Development Board (CDB), Dhaka.
The workshop, titled “Validation and Scaling-Up of Field Application of Formulated Aflatoxin Biocontrol Products in Selected Maize-Growing Areas of Bangladesh”, was jointly organized by Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, and CIMMYT Bangladesh under the global initiative “Harnessing Corn Science and Innovation for Improving Food Security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Dr. Md. Manjurul Kadir, Director General of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), attended as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Dr. Md. Golam Mortuza, Director of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), attended as the Chief Patron.
Dr. Md. Mahfuz Bazzaz, Director General of the Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI), and Prof Dr Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), attended as special guests. Dr. Mohammad Enayet-E-Rabbi, Director (In-charge) of the Plant Protection Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), chaired the inaugural session. Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, Research Associate at CIMMYT Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address.
In his remarks, the chief guest underscored the importance of the initiative in ensuring safe livestock feed and food for consumers. Speakers highlighted the growing production of maize in Bangladesh and stressed the need to address aflatoxin contamination through effective biological control measures and stronger policy support.
The keynote presentation by Prof Dr. Md. Rashidul Islam of BAU focused on the use of native atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains to combat aflatoxin contamination. He explained how these non-toxic strains can suppress toxin-producing strains in the field, reducing contamination and improving food and feed safety.
The technical session featured presentations by experts from CIMMYT, BAU, DAE and BFSA on risk prediction modelling, AI-based advisory systems, field validation, product registration, commercialization and private sector engagement.
Dr. Wais Kabir, Senior Consultant at CIMMYT Bangladesh and former Executive Chairman of BARC, chaired the technical session. Participants also discussed regulatory approval, market development, farmer incentives and large-scale field demonstrations. Dr. Md. Golam Mahboob, Director of the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Prof. Dr. Abu Noman Faruq, Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University attended the workshop alongside researchers, academics, industry representatives and other stakeholders.
