The recent paddy invented by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), titled as Bangabandhu Dhan-100 has been gaining ground to the farmers in the district. The farmers for their interest have been cultivating the same. It will help supplement the zinc through rice in human body and strengthen the socio-economic state of the farmers throughout the country, said the officials of the department of agriculture extension (DAE) and farmers.
Farmer Abdur Rahim, 54, of village Halidhani in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila when contacted said he cultivated the Bangabandhu Dhan-100 on his 33 decimals of land under the guidance of the DAE. He received seed, fertilizer and cash Taka 15 hundred to take initial caring of the crop from the office.
The DAE officials told him that the rice contains zinc. The paddy plants were not massively affected by pest and disease and takes 105 to 110 days from the transplantation as against 120 or more days for other varieties.
He received 30 maunds of paddy from one bigha of land on an average, while other varieties could not provide more than 28 maunds, he said.
Another farmer Aminur Rahman of same village said he had cultivated one acre of the Bangabandhu Dhan-100 on his demonstration plot. The people of the village as well as surrounding villages had admired him witnessing the growth of the rice. It will help him financially, Aminur Rahmansaid.
Office of the deputy director of the DAE in Jhenaidah Khamarbari sources said they had allocated a total of 53 demonstration plots on 22.94 acres of land in the district. Upazila wise demonstration plots was 10 decimals in Jhenaidah sadar and Kaliganj each, seven decimals in Kotchandpur, 13 decimals in bordering Moheshpur and nine decimals each in Shailkupa and Harinakundu upazila.
Upazila agriculture officer (UAO) in Jhenaidah Sadar Nur E Alam when contacted said the farmers were very happy with the growth of zinc enriched paddy that ensure additional yield in least duration of time.
