Anisul Islam Noor :
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute’s ‘Hybrid Rice- 5’ has made a record of highest yield so far among the other varieties of rice breed, reveal its scientists.
They said, farmers can harvest 33 maunds per bigha or ten tones of rice in per hectare. The Hybrid Rice-5 became popular among the farmers due to its high yielding.
Earlier, hybrid seeds were difficult to produce at the farmers level, added the BRRI scientists.
Sources said, farmers can easily produce seeds of BRRI Rice-5 and sell it. As a result, the import of hybrid seeds and parent line seeds will save around Tk 150 crore annually, which was spent to import such rice breed in the country.
Besides, it will reduce the dependency of the farmers to the seed companies.
According to the sources, the hybrid varieties of BRRI-1, 2, 3 and 5 varieties are cultivated in Boro season. Two hybrids – breed 4 and 6 – are cultivated in Aman season.
They added, other varieties of BRRI can yield up to 8-9 tonnes, but the hybrid rice-5 still yields 10 tonnes per hectare. After being released in 2016, results were found at some private companies, farmers’ level, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and BRRI’s research field.
Besides, any farmers and registered non-governmental organizations can produce the species of seed. BRRI’s scientists will provide seeds and technical assistance for free of cost. Even if a farmer wants to market the inventive seed, then it will also facilitate marketing opportunities, sources said.
The sources said, every year on an average Tk 200 crore is being spent on the import of seeds. Of them, Tk 60 crore is needed for the patent of the seeds. If it is possible to produce seed in the country, it will be possible to reduce the import cost of Tk 150 crore or about 75 percent of the import cost.
In the BRRI Rice-5 varieties, the size of the granule is neat and tall enough for rice. The quantity of protein in it is high, the scientists said.
The head of BRRI’s Hybrid Rice Division, Dr. Md. Jamil Hasan, said, though hybrid rice-5 takes 143-145 days for yielding, the tolerant capacity of cold and heat temper is excellent.
It can maintain normal yield even high in winter and drought. Normally, the number of brunch of paddy trees is 12-15 and can yield higher yields. It has been able to produce the highest yields of any species so far, Dr Jamil ssaid.
He said that since the establishment, BRRI has been working to fulfill the demand for rice by inventing various varieties of rice in the country. Activities are being undertaken for the cultivation of BRRI Hybrid Rice Paddy varieties that can be produced and marketed by farmers.
Former director general of BRRI Jivan Krishna Biswas said, there is considerable potential for hybrid rice cultivation in the Boro season. With proper varieties, seed sowing, planting and improved inter-service, it is possible to increase the country’s food production by cultivating hybrid rice in this season.
Besides, every year, a large amount of money is going abroad for the import of various seeds, including parent line seeds. This species will be able to prevent it. Compared to any rice, hybrid rice varieties will yield maximum, he further said.
Researchers said that special steps should be taken to cultivate paddy. Season begins from October to January. But 15th November to 15th December is the best time. Only 15 kg of seeds per hectare (7.5 bigha) of land is required.
Seedling should always be built in a place where it is always safe. Depending on the fertile soil of seed bed, rotten dung and chemical fertilizers have to be given. After three weeks of transplanting, the irrigation can be done to dry the soil slightly for 5-6 days, said the scientists.
