BARC Governing Body Meets to Address Agricultural Health Risks
The 6th governing body meeting of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council took place on August 20, 2026. Officials discussed critical agricultural health hazards linked to excessive pesticide use during the session.
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) convened its 6th governing body meeting on August 20, 2026, at the official BARC conference room. The high-level gathering brought together key figures from various government bodies and academic institutions to deliberate on pressing agricultural issues facing the nation.
Among the prominent attendees at the conference were Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, Abdul Awwal Mintu, Abul Kalam, Shirin Sultana, Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Md. Selim Khan, Md. Delwar Hossain, and Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan. Representatives and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Planning Commission, and Bangladesh Agricultural University also participated in the proceedings.
A major focal point of the discussions was the severe health crisis confronting the farming community due to agricultural practices. During the session, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid addressed the attendees and stated that the excessive application of chemical pesticides is directly increasing health risks for farmers, specifically noting the rising incidence of cancer.
The meeting further addressed environmental and soil conditions affecting the agricultural sector. Participants noted that soil pH levels have been recorded ranging between 4.5 and 5, highlighting ongoing chemical and ecological challenges within the country's arable land that require urgent scientific attention and policy intervention.
The convening of the 6th governing body underscores the ongoing efforts by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and associated ministries—including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, represented by Minister Abdul Awwal Mintu—to coordinate national strategies for sustainable farming, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of farmers' well-being across Bangladesh.
