Bangladesh Rice Research Institute has recently invented a new variety of paddy- BRRI-100, also known as ‘Bangabandhu Paddy (Dhaan)’. It gained huge popularity among the farmers in Jhenaidah as they were getting better production from the crop.
There are so many reasons behind the popularity of Bangabandhu paddy among the farmers. It can be cultivated within shorter duration than other varieties. Moreover, the paddy is comparably smaller (finer) in size. Farmers get more yield of rice from it. The variety is more diseases tolerant. Farmers get tasty rice and quality straw from it. So, many farmers are showing their interest to cultivate this variety more in the future.
Farmers in a Field-Day event at Shalua village under Jhenaidah Sadar upazila on Monday said that the farmers can harvest the paddy within 145 to 148 days. On the other hand, other varieties of paddy take around 14 days more to harvest.
The Field-Day discussion was held with Halidhani Union Parishad (UP) chairman Enamul Haque Nilu in the chair.
Upazila Agriculture Officer of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Nur E Nabi attended the discussion as the chief guest. Assistant agricultural extension officer Maniruzzaman was also present as special guest.
The discussants said, Bangabandhu Paddy (Dhaan) has been gaining popularity among the farmers for its shot duration, comparably smaller or finer in size, better production of rice, diseases tolerance and taste. The farmers also receive better price for its quality straw than other varieties of straw.
DAE officials said the people of all walks of life in Jhenaidah are very fond of quality and fine rice and usually they choose the Bangabandhu Rice for family consumption. It was mainly the reason behind the expansion of the variety every year in the district.
The officials also said that they had organized a total of 80 plots in six upazilas to disseminate the new variety for expansion.
The government had sanctioned adequate seeds, fertilizers and other inputs for the farmers so that they could cut their production cost and make the farming profitable, the DAE officials said.
