A rice field showcasing a wide range of rice varieties has opened up a new opportunity for farmers in Sunamganj to compare different varieties and select the ones best suited to their land and local conditions.
The exceptional “Rice Garden” has been developed at Sadarpur village in Shantiganj upazila under the initiative of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).
The demonstration, established during the current Aman season with funding under the LST project, aims to familiarise farmers with rice varieties suitable for haor areas and encourage them to adopt improved varieties.
Located beside the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway, it features high-yielding, short-duration, zinc-enriched, aromatic and improved cooking-quality rice varieties.
The display also includes varieties tolerant of drought, floods and waterlogging.
Nameplates placed beside each variety allow farmers to directly observe differences in plant growth, height and panicle characteristics, helping them choose varieties suitable for their own land.
Farmer Sahel said he had never seen so many rice varieties together before.
“I have not even heard the names of many of these varieties. Now, I can see how they grow in front of my eyes. From here, I will choose the variety that is best and high-yielding for my land,” he said.
Other beneficiary farmers also said they previously cultivated mostly familiar rice varieties but are now getting the opportunity to learn about new ones.
“By seeing which variety gives better yields and which is suitable for our area, we will be able to make better decisions. If we can select good varieties, yields will increase, and we will also benefit,” one of the farmers said.
Alongside the display of rice varieties, the BRRI Sunamganj regional office is also working on disease and pest management, balanced fertiliser application, bio-coated urea and the use of solar-powered light traps.
It is also showcasing the use of rice transplanters, weeders and combine harvesters to help address labour shortages in agriculture.
Farmers are also being provided with training, advice and support in obtaining seeds.
The rice varieties displayed in the garden include BRRI Dhan-112, 111, 110, 109, 103, 95, 94, 93, 91, 90, 80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75, 73, 72, 71, 70, 66, 62, 57, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 49, 46, 44, 38, 39, 40, 41, 37, 34, 33, 32, 30 and 31; BINA Dhan-25, 23, 22, 11, 10, 5, 4 and 3; and hybrid rice varieties 4 and 6.
Increasing rice production while coping with natural challenges is a major challenge in haor agriculture.
Against this backdrop, showcasing different rice varieties in a single field and demonstrating modern technologies are creating new opportunities for farmers.
Encouraging farmers to select suitable varieties and follow improved cultivation practices can help increase rice production in haor areas while reducing cultivation costs.
Dr Md Rejwan Bhuiyan, head and principal scientific officer of the BRRI Sunamganj Regional Office, said farmers will be able to select varieties suitable for their areas from the Rice Garden featuring different rice varieties.
“Research is also underway on various technologies, including fertiliser application, weed and pest management,” he said.
Rejwan expressed hope that the initiatives will contribute to increasing rice productivity in haor areas and play an important role in ensuring food security in the country.