Agricultural experts in Bangladesh have sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of pests, which are responsible for destroying up to 30% of crops annually in the country. At an international conference titled "Five Decades of Entomological Research and Development and Future Planning to Address Emerging Challenges," hosted by the Bangladesh Entomological Society in Dhaka, experts emphasized the urgent need for increased research to tackle this pressing issue.

Chaired by Debashish Sarkar, president of the Bangladesh Entomological Society and director general of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, the conference brought together key stakeholders to address the challenges posed by pests in the agricultural sector. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, was among the notable guests who underscored the importance of combatting pests to safeguard food security.

Syed Nurul Alam, former president of the Bangladesh Entomological Society and senior consultant at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, highlighted the detrimental consequences of excessive pesticide use. He emphasized that besides health risks and environmental pollution, indiscriminate pesticide application also leads to the development of pesticide resistance and biodiversity loss. Alam's research revealed a promising trend of decreased pesticide use, attributed to government initiatives aimed at curbing indiscriminate application.

Executive Chairman Dr Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar urged entomologists to intensify their research efforts to develop innovative pest control technologies capable of mitigating the food security risks exacerbated by climate change. Speakers at the conference echoed concerns about the escalating threat of pests worldwide, exacerbated by the negative impacts of climate change.

Professor M Ruhul Amin, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Entomological Society, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the challenges posed by pests. His welcome speech at the opening ceremony set the tone for fruitful discussions aimed at finding sustainable solutions to protect crops and ensure food security in Bangladesh. As climate change continues to exacerbate pest proliferation, concerted research efforts and innovative strategies are imperative to safeguard agricultural productivity and livelihoods in the region.