Dhaka: The Cornell University of the United States has honoured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with a citation in recognition to her outstanding contribution to the development of agriculture sector and ensuring food security in Bangladesh.

Visiting director of Cornell University Ronnie Coffiman on behalf of the president of the university handed over the citation to the Prime Minister during a courtesy call on her at her office this morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri briefed reporters.

The citation signed by president of the university David J Skorton praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's continuous support for the improvement of agriculture sector in Bangladesh and attainment of self sufficiency in food production as well as her keen interest in promoting science and technology.

Receiving the citation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said sufficiency in food production was possible due to various practical measures of her government for the development of agriculture sector. She said now the target of her government is to ensure nutrition for 160 million people of the country.

Ronnie Coffiman highly appreciated the Prime Minister for attaining food security and technological development in agriculture sector in Bangladesh.

The Cornell University, which decoded the genome sequence of BT Brinjal, transferred its technology to Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute.

Ronnie Coffiman informed the Prime Minister that the new variety of the brinjal can protect the attacks of insects and hence it is free from pesticides.

Sheikh Hasina thanked the Cornell University for innovation of the BT Brinjal.