Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) has announced a significant advancement in agricultural science with the development of ‘GAU GOM 1’ the nation’s inaugural high salinity-tolerant wheat variety. This groundbreaking achievement, led by Prof. Dr. M. Moinul Haque and Prof. Dr. Md. Mosiul Islam from the Department of Agronomy, is the culmination of years of dedicated research.

The newly introduced ‘GAU GOM 1’ is designed to thrive in the saline-affected southern regions of Bangladesh. This high-yielding and protein-rich variety matures quickly, typically within 95 to 100 days, making it an excellent crop to plant following the Aman rice harvest. Farmers can expect to see attractive, copper-coloured, shiny grains, along with robust, thick stems that produce a substantial amount of straw, offering an additional benefit for livestock feed.

Following successful trials conducted from 2021 to 2023, the National Seed Board officially approved ‘GAU GOM 1’ on 17 June. This latest addition brings GAU’s impressive total of developed crop varieties to 91.

Prof. Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of GAU, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is not just a landmark moment for GAU, but a crucial stride forward for Bangladesh’s agricultural sector as a whole.”