A state-of-the-art plant tissue culture laboratory is under construction in Balaghata, Bandarban, along the Sangu River. Designed in the shape of a biological cell nucleus, the circular building combines modern architecture with eco-friendly concepts. The facility will include advanced rooms for media preparation, inoculation, culture growth, acclimatization, and research, aiming to support international-standard agricultural innovation in the hilly region.

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said the lab will enable rapid production of disease-free and genetically uniform seedlings, reducing costs and risks for farmers. Local farmers expressed optimism that the lab will provide improved seedlings for high-value crops such as bananas, pineapples, strawberries, dragon fruit, and orchids, encouraging youth participation in agriculture. Women farmers also hope to benefit from better access to quality planting materials and new entrepreneurial opportunities.

According to project leaders and agricultural scientists, the facility will serve as a hub for research on hill-adapted crops, mother plant improvement, and climate-resilient farming technologies. With construction nearly 80 percent complete, experts view the lab as a symbol of agricultural modernization and sustainable development in Bangladesh.