Bangladesh: Genetically modified potato likely to be released this year

The government plans to release a genetically modified (GM) potato, reportedly capable of resisting late blight disease, during the upcoming season. “We are planning to apply for the approval for releasing one variety of GM potato at the end of this year,” said Rafiqul Islam Mondol, director general of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). BARI has developed GM potatoes by inserting pest and weather-resistant gene in two local potato varieties – Cardinal and Diamond. “Of the two, we are planning to release only the Diamond variety at the field level this year as we are satisfied with the results,” said Rafiqul. More