The regional research center of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) inaugurated a Gamma Irradiation Center (GIC) in Gazipur's Bhabanipur on Saturday to expand the application of gamma ray radiation technology for agricultural product preservation. Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock Adviser Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid officially inaugurated the newly established facility during a high-profile ceremony.
Built across three acres of land under a Bangladesh-China partnership project, the facility boasts a capacity of 500 kCi utilizing Cobalt-60 radioactivity. Researchers and relevant stakeholders anticipate that the newly launched center will play a pivotal role in extending the shelf life of agricultural produce, controlling harmful microorganisms and insect pests, and preserving overall product quality.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, Adviser Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid underscored that the Gamma Irradiation Center represents a timely initiative to boost agricultural exports while maintaining international quality standards. He noted that if seasonal domestic vegetables such as carrots and capsicum can be preserved for extended periods through this facility, it will significantly invigorate the national economy. The adviser further highlighted that tropical fruits like mangoes, jackfruits, and pineapples enjoy robust demand in global markets, adding that processing these native fruits through the radiation center to meet export standards will unlock substantial foreign exchange earnings.
Presenting the keynote paper during the event, BINA Director General Shariful Haque Bhuiyan detailed that the facility was constructed at a cost of 89 crore taka and is designed to mitigate post-harvest losses for 56,500 tonnes of produce annually, translating to a minimum financial savings of 53.70 crore taka. He elaborated that the application of gamma rays can extend the shelf life of mangoes and bananas by 10 to 21 days, onions and potatoes by up to six months, and garlic by as long as 12 months.
Gazipur-3 Member of Parliament SM Rafiqul Islam pointed out that beyond agricultural commodities, the gamma irradiation center serves as an optimal solution for achieving 100 percent sterilization of medical equipment, advocating for the multi-faceted utilization of the plant. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Md. Selim Khan emphasized the imperative of actively engaging key stakeholders—including farmers, agricultural associations, agro-processing industrialists, and exporting firms—with the research and services offered by the radiation center.
The inaugural event also featured remarks from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Bangladesh Jiaoqun Shi, alongside special guests including Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority Chairman Mahmudul Hasan, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman M. Moinul Islam, and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Overseas Department Deputy General Manager and International Affairs Director Zhang Shunde. The ceremony concluded with closing remarks delivered by BINA Director of Administration and Service Division M. Lutfor Rahman Molla.
