Farmers in Pabna’s Ishwardi upazila are showing increasing interest in cultivating the newly developed BRRI Dhan-103 variety.
Md Tanzid, a farmer from Baghasala village in Ishwardi, expressed optimism, saying that this new variety could yield higher profits compared to previous ones. He believes that the BRRI Dhan-103 variety, developed by scientists at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, will be highly beneficial for farmers.
According to the Ishwardi upazila Department of Agricultural Extension, the local agriculture department collected 10 kg of seeds of the newly developed BRRI Dhan-103 variety from the rice research center last year. These seeds were given to Adam Ali, a farmer from Ista village, for initial cultivation. He achieved a good yield in his first attempt. Encouraged by this success, the agriculture department tasked several other farmers with producing more seeds, resulting in the production of over 300 kg. These seeds were distributed to approximately 60 farmers in the upazila. Farmers have reported successful cultivation of this variety, said Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer, Motia Sarker.
He also said that the BRRI Dhan-103 variety, developed in 2022, is a promising crop for the Aman season. This variety grows tall and produces slender, fine grains. Its yield is higher than that of other varieties, and it holds potential as an export-grade rice variety. Last year, 10 kilograms of seeds were distributed to a few farmers for cultivation on trial basis, and the results were promising. Following the successful outcome, over 300 kg of seeds were produced and distributed to 60 farmers this year. She added that BRRI Dhan-103 was cultivated on 60 bighas of land in the upazila this season.
Speaking about his experience, Farmer Tanzid said that with the support of the upazila Department of Agricultural Extension, he cultivated BRRI Dhan-103 for the first time this year. Initially, he was worried about the outcome, but he became optimistic after observing the plant's structure and overall growth. He cultivated this variety on eight bighas of land, while another farmer nearby cultivated it on four bighas. Tanzid further explained that BRRI Dhan-103 yields about 25 maunds per bigha, compared to 20-22 maunds from other varieties. Additionally, this rice variety produces slender, fine grains. Farmers who have seen the crop are impressed and have kept seeds for future cultivation.
Md Rokonuzzaman, Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Pabna, was also present in the field. He said that BRRI Dhan-103 is already gaining attention among farmers nationwide. Ishwardi is the first area where this variety has been cultivated after its development.
The rice grains are slender and appear capable of producing high-quality rice. Farmers are highly pleased with the initial results and have expressed interest in cultivating this variety in the future. Many have already requested seeds from the Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer.
