‘Location-based paddy variety, technology innovation ongoing’
BRRI is progressing in the development of location-based paddy varieties and technologies and the development of existing research laboratories. In the meantime, the establishment of new regional offices and satellite stations, development of research labs, creation of technology villages to quickly take BRRI-invented technologies to the farmer level, collection of germplasm locally, production of high-quality seeds at the farmer level to increase the average yield of BRRI released varieties, seed processing and conservation, higher education of BRRI manpower for effective research and technology innovation, and training of agricultural extension workers and farmers, including BRI manpower, are ongoing for technology transfer and skill development.
This information was shared at a workshop on the implementation progress of the project titled ‘Location-based Paddy Varieties and Technologies through Establishment of 6 New Regional Offices and Development of Existing Research Laboratories (LSTD)’ at the BRRI headquarters in Gazipur on Saturday. The project implementation period is from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028.
BRRI Director General Dr Mohammad Khalequzzaman chaired the workshop held at the BRRI auditorium, and Additional Secretary (Planning Division) of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mahbubul Haque Patwari was present as the chief guest. BRRI Director (Research) Dr Md Rafiqul Islam and Director (Administration and Common Service) Dr Munnujan Khanam were present as the special guests. The main paper was presented by Project Director Dr Md Mofazzal Hossain.
The main paper states that the main objective of the LSTD project is to support the main research activities of BRRI including the innovation and development of place-based paddy varieties and technologies in line with the changing climate to ensure food and nutritional security of the growing population. In addition to establishing a regional office and satellite station, the objectives of this project include the innovation of 6 new varieties and 20 technologies based on place. Besides, initiatives will be taken to find effective solutions to place-based problems (including the southern and hilly areas that are backward in agriculture), to strengthen applied research and the research labs of the existing 11 regional offices of BRRI and to develop research labs in the proposed regional offices. By creating a total of 15 ‘Technology Villages’ across the country, BRRI’s innovative technologies will be taken to the farmer level in a short time.
The main article highlights the progress of the project and states that one variety is under development and five technology innovations are underway. In addition, 15 technology villages have been initially selected with the overall cooperation of BRRI Regional Office and Department of Agricultural Extension. ‘Service Providers’ are being selected in the technology villages to exhibit BRRI’s innovative technologies and provide technical services and training to farmers. One hundred and sixty-five field days and crop harvesting activities have been completed for local farmers to encourage BRRI’s innovative Ufshi Aman variety of paddy cultivation.
