kamiagronusantara.com, Penang, 12 November 2024 Noor Mohammad, a self-taught agricultural scientist from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, has attracted attention in the agricultural world thanks to the extraordinary innovation he created in developing drought-resistant rice varieties.

Despite only completing education up to grade ten, Noor shows that knowledge and skills do not always depend on formal educational background. Armed with a love of agriculture and strong determination, he set up a small laboratory in his own home, where he carried out various experiments to develop rice strains that grew faster and were more resistant to harsh environmental conditions, such as drought.

Some of the most famous rice varieties from his work are NMKP-5 and NMKP-103. Both varieties have significant advantages, namely a shorter growing period, which allows rice to mature more quickly than traditional varieties.

These advantages not only help farmers save on irrigation costs, but also increase their crop yields, which in turn can improve their economic well-being. Noor's innovations have received widespread recognition, including prestigious awards such as the President's Gold Medal in 2005 and the “Best Agricultural Innovation” award in 2018 from Prothom Alo and Teer.

Baru-baru ini, Noor menerima jemputan untuk menyertai persidangan saintis petani yang diadakan di Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Persidangan ini dianjurkan oleh Rangkaian Tindakan Racun Perosak Asia dan Pasifik (PANAP) dan menghimpunkan inovator pertanian dari pelbagai negara Asia.

With the support of the Bangladesh Traditional Knowledge Resource Center (BARCIK), Noor departed from Dhaka to attend the three-day event, from November 6 to 8, 2024. This was a great opportunity for Noor to introduce his work to an international audience, as well as exchange ideas and experiences with scientists and agricultural practitioners from various parts of the world.

This conference not only gives Noor the opportunity to share his knowledge, but also opens up opportunities for collaboration with other experts, which can enrich his approach in facing major challenges in the world of agriculture, such as climate change and the need to improve food security.

With his presence at this international forum, Noor not only showed that innovation in agriculture can come from various circles, but also emphasized the importance of science and technology in creating sustainable solutions for the future of global agriculture. (kamiagromadani)