Gazipur Agricultural University hosts workshop on rapid detection kit for wheat blast
The event was organised by the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE) under the supervision of Professor Md Tofazzal Islam, principal investigator of the “Disease Early Warning System (DEWAS) – Wheat Blast Diagnostic” project.
A day-long training workshop titled "Validation of the Field Application of the Rapid Detection Kit of Wheat Blast" was held today (6 November) at the Old Auditorium of Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU).
The event was organised by the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE) under the supervision of Professor Md Tofazzal Islam, principal investigator of the "Disease Early Warning System (DEWAS) – Wheat Blast Diagnostic" project.
The workshop introduced the newly developed Rapid Detection Kit that can identify the wheat blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum (MoT) within just 30 minutes using a PCRD strip method. Costing only BDT 300–400 per sample, the kit offers a fast, simple, and affordable diagnostic solution suitable for both field and quarantine use.
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Professor Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman, vice-chancellor of GAU, attended the event as the chief guest, while Professor Shah Mohammad Naimul Islam, director of IBGE, chaired the session. Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor M Moynul Haque and Treasurer Professor Md Safiul Islam Afrad were present as special guests.
In his keynote address, Professor Md Tofazzal Islam highlighted that the new detection kit can be effectively used by farmers and plant quarantine officials in airports, land ports, and border checkpoints to detect the disease at an early stage.
"This technology will serve as a model for developing rapid diagnostics for other major crop diseases," he noted.
Vice-Chancellor Rahman praised the innovation, saying, "Because of our internationally recognised scientists, GAU continues to achieve top global rankings. This innovative kit will help identify infections quickly, protect wheat production, and strengthen food security."
Around 70 participants from BARI, BRRI, BADC, BJRI, BWMRI, ACI, Apex Bio Fertilizer, Lal Teer, Supreme Seed, BRAC Seed, and various universities, national research institutions, international organizations, and private companies attended the workshop.
During the technical session, Associate Professor Dipali Rani Gupta conducted hands-on training on the use and field application of the kit.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and certificate distribution ceremony, marking a milestone in Bangladesh's advancement toward sustainable and technology-driven agriculture.
