A workshop titled "Locality-based rice variety and technology innovation and existing laboratory development (LSTD)" was held at BRRI headquarters in Gazipur. Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has reported major progress in its project of developing rice varieties and technologies in local areas. This information was revealed at a workshop titled "Locality-based rice variety and technology innovation and existing laboratory development (LSTD)" held at BRRI headquarters in Gazipur today/ 21 Jun 2025. The workshop focused on the progress of the project, which has been under development since July 1, 2023, and is expected to end on June 30, 2028.
As part of the project, six new regional offices and satellite stations have already been established. BRRI has also made advancements in developing research laboratories, creating technology villages to bring innovations directly to farmers, and collecting germplasm from different regions.
The average yield of BRRI's free rice varieties has also experienced development. The project includes initiatives to enhance the higher education of BRRI staff, improve seed processing and conservation, strengthen research and technology innovation, and provide training to both BRRI personnel and farmers, including agricultural extension workers.
BRRI DG Dr Mohammad Khalequzzaman presided over the workshop while Additional Secretary (Planning Division) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Md Mahbubul Haque Patwar,i attended the functions as the chief guest. BRRI's Director (Research), Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, and Director (Administration and General Services), Dr Munnujan Khanam, were also present, among others. Project Director Dr Md Mofazzal Hossain presented the keynote paper.
According to the presentation, the main objective of the project is to support BRRI's core research, particularly in the innovation and development of rice varieties and technologies suited to different regions. These efforts are especially important in the context of climate change and the need to ensure food and nutritional security for the country's growing population.
The project also aims to address local agricultural challenges, particularly in underdeveloped areas such as the southern and hilly regions. It includes upgrading research laboratories at BRRI's existing eleven regional offices and developing new ones in the proposed regional offices. A total of fifteen technology villages are being created across the country to ensure that BRRI's innovations reach farmers timely and effective manner. Progress so far includes the development of a new rice variety and five technologies that are currently under development. Fifteen technology villages have been initially selected with the support of BRRI's regional offices and the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Service providers are being appointed in these villages to demonstrate BRRI's new technologies and to offer technical support and training to farmers. So far, 165 field days and crop harvesting events have been conducted to encourage local farmers to cultivate BRRI-developed Ufshi Aman rice varieties.
Source: Online/GFMM
Comment Now