BSS, Rajshahi :
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has developed 14 Boro varieties of paddy which are appropriate for Rajshahi region including its vast Barind tract.
The varieties are Brridhan28, 29, 50, 58, 63, 69, 81, 84, 86, 88, 89, 92,Brri hybrid dhan3 and Brri hybrid dhan5. Of those, Brridhan50 is export- oriented premium quality rice, Brridhan58 is comparatively high yielding and Brridhan84 is iron and zinc-enriched.
BRRI Chief Scientific Officer Dr Aminul Islam revealed this while presenting his keynote paper at the technical session of a daylong regional workshop titled “Way Forward of boosting Boro Paddy Yield in Rajshahi region” at conference hall of Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Rajshahi today.
He urged the field level agriculture related officials, researchers and scientists to reach the developed varieties to the farmers’ doorsteps so that they can boost the boro paddy yield after the best uses of the varieties.
Additional Secretary (Research) of the Ministry of Agriculture
Komolaranjan Das addressed the seminar as the chief guest with BRRI Director General Dr Shahjahan Kabir in the chair.
Executive Director of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority Engineer Abdur Rashid, Additional Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Dev Dulal Dhali, BRRI Director (Research) Dr Tomal Lota Aditya and its Senior Scientific Office Harun-Or-Rashid also spoke.
Dr Islam also mentioned that the agriculture as well as rice research and extension are directly linked to the goal-2. End Hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture among the total 17 sustainable development goals.
He said there is no way but to enhance the rice production through facing the existing challenges of adverse impact of climate change side by side with gradually declining of resources and agriculture manpower.
Komolaranjan Das urged the DAE officials and others concerned to expand the paddy varieties to the farmers for better yield as food security is largely depended on rice security. He said concerted efforts of all scientists, researchers and extension officials are very important to boost paddy yield to feed the gradually increasing population of the country.
Dr Shahjahan Kabir told the meeting that the conventional varieties are being replaced by modern varieties which are good signs for the region in terms of boosting yield.
More than 100 paddy related scientists, researchers and extension officials from both government and non-government entities concerned joined the workshop sharing views on the issue.
