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Indigenous rice varieties of haor are disappearing
Story in: February-2025
Story: Indigenous rice varieties of haor are disappearing
Due to the trade of multinational companies, indigenous varieties of rice are disappearing from the northern region of the country. Now indigenous varieties of Boro rice are no longer cultivated in haors. Even two decades ago, to protect themselves from floods, indigenous varieties of Boro rice were cultivated in all the small and large haors of Sunamganj including Shani, Matian, Mahalia, and Vedagurigurma in Tahirpur upazila.
After planting indigenous Boro rice, no special care was required. Not even fertilizers and pesticides were given. All indigenous varieties of rice were climate tolerant. Although the yield was a little low, there was no significant damage due to heavy rain or drought. There was no need for irrigation in the land either. But currently, indigenous varieties of Boro rice are disappearing due to the trade of hybrids and multinational companies. Farmers are leaning towards hybrid rice cultivation in the hope of higher yields. The government is also emphasizing hybrid rice cultivation to maintain self-sufficiency in achieving food security.
However, the Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office officials said that they also advise farmers to keep high-yielding seed rice as well as indigenous rice seeds. The indigenous rice varieties that have been lost in the haor region include Rata, Gachi Shail, Nazi Shail, Lakai, Pani Shail, Bor, Tepi, Rangeela Tepi, Raja Shail, Begun Bichi, Black Cumin, Bashful, etc. At one time, various delicious varieties of rice were cooked with rice to entertain guests. Those rice varieties were also delicious to eat.
People from the local agriculture department said that due to the low yield of indigenous rice, farmers are no longer showing interest in cultivating indigenous rice as before. Most of the haors are now cultivating BARI Dhan 28, BARI Dhan 29, BARI1203, and Shakti.
In the Shanir Haor of Tahirpur Upazila, it can be seen that the vast haor is covered with greenery. Hybrid rice is being cultivated throughout the haor. According to the farmers of Bhati Tahirpur village on the banks of Shanir Haor, the production cost of cultivating indigenous rice was low. At that time, there was a buzz of making pitha payes, chira, khai, and muri in the village during the rice harvesting season. Now that is no longer the case. There was no need to use additional fertilizers and pesticides to cultivate indigenous rice. To cultivate indigenous rice, no seeds had to be bought from the market. It was enough to keep some rice separately at home for seeds. Currently, they are unable to keep the seeds they are cultivating. They have to buy seeds from the market at high prices every year. Along with this, after planting rice, they have to apply a lot of pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation to the land. Otherwise, the yield is not good.
According to the plant protection officer of the Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office, farmers plant high-yielding rice on their land for more profit. In various trainings organized by the Upazila Agriculture Office, they tell the farmers to save high-yielding seed rice as well as indigenous seed rice. Although the yield of indigenous seed rice is low, its price in the market is much higher. - Editor, Based on online information.
Home Editorial Calendar Indigenous rice varieties of haor are disappearing
Story: Indigenous rice varieties of haor are disappearing
Due to the trade of multinational companies, indigenous varieties of rice are disappearing from the northern region of the country. Now indigenous varieties of Boro rice are no longer cultivated in haors. Even two decades ago, to protect themselves from floods, indigenous varieties of Boro rice were cultivated in all the small and large haors of Sunamganj including Shani, Matian, Mahalia, and Vedagurigurma in Tahirpur upazila.
After planting indigenous Boro rice, no special care was required. Not even fertilizers and pesticides were given. All indigenous varieties of rice were climate tolerant. Although the yield was a little low, there was no significant damage due to heavy rain or drought. There was no need for irrigation in the land either. But currently, indigenous varieties of Boro rice are disappearing due to the trade of hybrids and multinational companies. Farmers are leaning towards hybrid rice cultivation in the hope of higher yields. The government is also emphasizing hybrid rice cultivation to maintain self-sufficiency in achieving food security.
However, the Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office officials said that they also advise farmers to keep high-yielding seed rice as well as indigenous rice seeds. The indigenous rice varieties that have been lost in the haor region include Rata, Gachi Shail, Nazi Shail, Lakai, Pani Shail, Bor, Tepi, Rangeela Tepi, Raja Shail, Begun Bichi, Black Cumin, Bashful, etc. At one time, various delicious varieties of rice were cooked with rice to entertain guests. Those rice varieties were also delicious to eat.
People from the local agriculture department said that due to the low yield of indigenous rice, farmers are no longer showing interest in cultivating indigenous rice as before. Most of the haors are now cultivating BARI Dhan 28, BARI Dhan 29, BARI1203, and Shakti.
In the Shanir Haor of Tahirpur Upazila, it can be seen that the vast haor is covered with greenery. Hybrid rice is being cultivated throughout the haor. According to the farmers of Bhati Tahirpur village on the banks of Shanir Haor, the production cost of cultivating indigenous rice was low. At that time, there was a buzz of making pitha payes, chira, khai, and muri in the village during the rice harvesting season. Now that is no longer the case. There was no need to use additional fertilizers and pesticides to cultivate indigenous rice. To cultivate indigenous rice, no seeds had to be bought from the market. It was enough to keep some rice separately at home for seeds. Currently, they are unable to keep the seeds they are cultivating. They have to buy seeds from the market at high prices every year. Along with this, after planting rice, they have to apply a lot of pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation to the land. Otherwise, the yield is not good.
According to the plant protection officer of the Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Office, farmers plant high-yielding rice on their land for more profit. In various trainings organized by the Upazila Agriculture Office, they tell the farmers to save high-yielding seed rice as well as indigenous seed rice. Although the yield of indigenous seed rice is low, its price in the market is much higher. - Editor, Based on online information.
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