BRRI Success/52 Aman rice varieties showcase in one field

The successful cultivation of 52 high-yielding Aman rice varieties in a single field in Dinajpur has created a practical learning centre for farmers, enabling them to compare different varieties and identify those best suited to their land and local conditions.

The demonstration field, set up at Huglipara village in Kaugaon under Shashra union of Dinajpur Sadar upazila, is an initiative of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) under its Local Seed Technology Development (LSTD) project.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and field-level farming by bringing improved rice varieties and modern cultivation techniques directly to farmers, helping boost productivity and strengthen the country's food security.

Project Director Md Anwar Hossain confirmed the success of the demonstration to BSS on Wednesday (14 October), saying 15 technology villages had been established across the country under the project, with Huglipara emerging as a notable example.

A visit to the village on Wednesday (14 October) found rows of green paddy plants growing side by side in plots beside the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway. Each plot has a signboard identifying the variety, allowing farmers and visitors to compare the plants and their characteristics.

Established during the current Aman season under the supervision of BRRI's Dinajpur regional office, the field features 52 varieties developed by the institute.

Farmers can observe differences in plant height, growth patterns, panicle structure, maturity period, potential yield, disease resistance and adaptability to local environmental conditions.

The hands-on approach enables farmers to make informed decisions based on direct observation rather than relying solely on information from others. Field visits, practical training and participatory demonstrations are also helping them identify suitable varieties for cultivation on their own land.

Agriculture officials are bringing farmers from different parts of the district to the field to explain the characteristics of the varieties and demonstrate modern cultivation techniques.

Md Sohag Ali, assistant scientific officer of the project, said the technology villages aimed to popularise BRRI-developed rice varieties and agricultural technologies while enhancing farmers' skills to increase production.

Under the initiative, farmers receive training on variety selection, land preparation, quality seed use, fertiliser application and the appropriate use of agricultural machinery. They are also provided with seeds and technical assistance to encourage the adoption of improved varieties.

Local farmer Nani Gopal said the initiative had helped him gain practical knowledge of rice cultivation while receiving assistance with seeds, fertilisers and other farming-related matters.

"This year, I have cultivated Jira-34, Kathari and Jira-90 varieties. By visiting BRRI's demonstration field, I am gaining experience by observing different rice varieties. I plan to cultivate a BRRI-developed variety on my land in the future," he said.

Young farmer Abdur Razzak said farmers in the area previously had limited knowledge of the different rice varieties available, their cultivation methods and maturity periods.

"Now we can observe different varieties directly in fields in our own area and learn about their characteristics. This will make it easier for us to decide which variety to cultivate on our land next year," he said.

The initiative is also generating interest in improved rice varieties among farmers who have traditionally relied on familiar varieties.

According to BRRI's Dinajpur regional office, the demonstration field includes several varieties from the BR series, including BR-3, BR-4, BR-5, BR-10, BR-11, BR-22, BR-23 and BR-25.

It also features BRRI dhan-30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 46, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 62, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 87, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 103, 109, 110, 111 and 112. BRRI hybrid dhan-4 and BRRI hybrid dhan-6 are also included.

The technology village has been demonstrating rice varieties across the three major growing seasons-Aus, Aman and Boro-since last year, allowing farmers to compare varieties and learn about research findings relevant to their farming conditions.

Syed Zahid Hasan, a scientific officer at BRRI's Dinajpur regional office, said increasing rice productivity involved more than raising output, requiring the efficient use of water, quality seeds and modern agricultural technologies, particularly as farmland remained limited.

He said the LSTD project was working to improve farmers' skills in 15 technology villages nationwide by bringing research-based knowledge and improved rice varieties directly to farming communities.

BRRI Senior Scientific Officer Dr Selim Jahan said the project focused on developing and promoting rice varieties and agricultural technologies suited to specific geographical and environmental conditions.

Under the initiative, BRRI-116, BRRI-117 and BRRI hybrid dhan-10 have already been released. BRRI-117 and BRRI hybrid dhan-10 are salt-tolerant varieties, while BRRI-118, a newly released variety suitable for early planting and harvesting, is being promoted in the haor wetland region.

He said haor areas frequently suffer substantial rice losses due to early flash floods. The early-maturing characteristics of BRRI-118 could help farmers harvest their crops before floodwaters arrive, reducing the risk of losses.

Huglipara, once an ordinary rural settlement, has gained recognition among local farmers as a technology village over the past two years.

The demonstration field is helping translate agricultural research into practical knowledge by enabling farmers to observe results firsthand, receive technical guidance and identify rice varieties suited to their land.

BRRI officials hope the experience gained in Huglipara will encourage more farmers to adopt improved rice varieties and appropriate cultivation techniques, contributing to higher productivity, better livelihoods and sustainable food security in Bangladesh.

Source: BSS