The agricultural sector in the country is evolving. Innovative rice varieties are being developed. Farmers are increasingly interested in these high-yield options. Abdur Rahman Sohag, a young agricultural entrepreneur from Laxmipur, has made headlines by cultivating several new rice varieties.
This year, he has conducted experimental cultivation of a total of 12 rice varieties, including three that are entirely new. Among these, approximately five high-yielding varieties are generating significant attention. Sohag is the son of Ibrahim Khalil from Naldagi village in the Kusakhali union of Laxmipur Sadar upazila. He is currently a second-year degree student at Laxmipur Government College. Sohag has been engaged in agriculture for the last eight years. In addition to rice, he also grows a variety of vegetables such as soybean, sunflower, mustard, sesame, capsicum, and churaiphal.
It has been reported that in June of this year, the National Seed Board (NSB) approved three new rice varieties developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI) that are salt-tolerant, high-yielding, and resistant to Boro and Blast diseases. The three new varieties are - BRI Dhan-112, a medium-term planting Aman variety that is also suitable for saline soils. The BRI Dhan-113 variety was created for the Boro season and is being viewed as an alternative to the well-known BRI Dhan-29. BRI Dhan-114, which is resistant to blast disease and has a long lifespan, will be advantageous for farmers in regions where rice yields are decreasing due to blast disease.
Abdur Rahman Sohag has been experimentally cultivating these three new varieties on a 2-acre plot in Lakshmipur. The yield has been promising as well. Following the verification and selection process by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, he aims to distribute these three new varieties throughout the country.
Including the three newly developed varieties, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI) has successfully created a total of 121 rice varieties, with 8 of them being hybrids.
Abdur Rahman Sohag mentioned that he has been engaged in agriculture since 2019 and has focused on developing new varieties since 2021. He has been experimenting with new rice varieties such as Boro, Aman, and Aus, achieving significant yields. This year, he has cultivated three new varieties on 2 acres of land, which are exclusively developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. He aims to distribute the seeds of these new varieties to farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs nationwide in the upcoming season. Previously, his cultivated Briri Rice-108 variety received an overwhelming response throughout the country. The experimental cultivation of these new rice varieties is overseen by the District and Sadar Upazila Agricultural Extension Department.
Additionally, scientists from the research institute visit the fields each season to inspect and distribute new rice seeds among local farmers. This initiative has inspired many to adopt these new rice varieties.
Local farmer Abdus Shahid stated, "We have been engaged in agriculture for a long time, but I have not been very successful. Sohag is involved in modern agriculture and is achieving good yields. We regularly seek his advice. Furthermore, we are cultivating the new varieties provided by Sohag and are also seeing good results. Approximately a hundred farmers in our area are growing these new varieties. We believe that with Sohag's assistance, modern agriculture will proliferate across the country."
Sadar Upazila Agricultural Extension Officer Hasan Imam remarked, "Sohag is an exemplary farmer. Each year, he cultivates the new varieties developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute through the Department of Agricultural Extension. This year, he is growing three new varieties from the Rice Research Institute."
We oversee the operations at the field level and have organized various training sessions for him. We monitor whether he is cultivating properly and provide guidance on any issues that arise. He is already achieving good yields by growing the new rice varieties.
Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman, the Director General of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI), stated that the institute conducts research focused on rice. Our efforts are aimed at increasing yield. Recently, we have successfully developed three additional new varieties, which are currently being cultivated on an experimental basis. All of these varieties are promising. Presently, the yield from each variety is substantial.
New entrepreneurs like Shohag are contributing significantly to this initiative. Over the past few years, Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in food production, and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute is playing a pivotal role in this achievement.
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