It is possible to increase the production of paddy by 3.2 million tons by 2024-25 by increasing the cultivation of high-yielding and hybrid varieties by replacing the conventional varieties of Aman and Aush cultivation including Bri-28, Bri-29 of Boro season. Besides, cultivation of oilseeds on fallow land by changing the conventional cropping system can increase the production of oilseeds by 24 lakh tonnes by 2024-25, which is almost three times the current production.
This information was given at the national workshop on 'Inclusion of oil crops in the existing cropping system and increasing the production of more productive varieties of rice crops' at the KIB auditorium at Khamarbari in the capital on Thursday. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI) and Directorate of Agricultural Extension organized the event.
In the chief guest's speech, Agriculture Minister and Awami League presidium member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque said that there has been incredible progress in agricultural production. We have become self-sufficient in rice, but still have to import pulses, import oilseeds. We are spending Rs 20 to 25 thousand crores on importing edible oil, it will seem incredible to the common man. We have to import 90 percent of our needs. Only 10 percent is being cultivated in the country. We want to produce 40 to 50 percent of edible oil in the country. If we can use the new technology that our scientists have brought, we will be able to achieve the target.
The minister said, we are currently in a good condition in terms of food security. But this food security must be maintained in the future by facing various challenges. That is why we are working to increase crop production. Not only rice but other crops should be grown. We are self-sufficient in grains, now we aim to provide safe nutritious food. Providing food security is not just about filling the stomach, but ensuring nutritious food. We have continued our efforts.
Dr. Abdur Razzaque said that the paddy land is decreasing due to cultivation in small land. Cultivating everything in a country of 16.5 million people is a big challenge for the government and for us as a nation. No country in the world has this challenge. In our country, there are 1,200 people per square kilometer, while Russia has two people per square kilometer, Australia has five and Canada has three.
The minister said that the price of rice has increased due to the global crisis. The price of wheat has increased in the international market. If the price of wheat increases, the pressure on rice increases. 20 lakh new faces are added every year. We also have to feed 1.5 million Rohingyas. All in all, a huge pressure on the economy. Our low income people have a lot of trouble with their food.
But at the moment there is no shortage of food, there is no lamentation. Once upon a time there was manga in the country, we have not heard of a single person going without food in the last 13 years. We have removed the manga forever.
State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman spoke as special guests in the workshop under the chairmanship of Agriculture Secretary Md. Saidul Islam. BRI Director General Shahjahan Kabir delivered the welcome address.
The main article was presented by Bri Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Rice Farming Systems Division. Ibrahim and Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, director of the surface wing of the Directorate of Agricultural Extension.
According to Habibur Rahman Chowdhury's article, Bri-28, Bri-29 varieties which have been cultivated for more than two years can be replaced by Bri-89, Bri-92, Bangabandhu rice-100 and various high-yielding varieties, if done according to the expansion plan, within the fiscal year 2024-25. Productivity per hectare can be increased from 4 MT to 4.60 MT. As a result, the total production of Boro can be increased by 14.38 lakh tonnes during this period.
Similarly, the productivity of Aman per hectare can be increased from 2.95 tonnes to 3.44 tonnes by changing the variety. So that the production will increase to 14.63 lakh tons. By doing the same in the Aush season, the production of paddy can be increased by 3.62 lakh tonnes.
In Bri's presentation, it is said that in order to increase the productivity of rice, productivity should first be increased through variety. Development of production system, bringing unused land under cultivation, changing the conventional cropping system should increase the production.
According to DA's article, the prevailing cropping system in the country is Aman-Papit-Boro farming. By changing this cropping system, it is possible to cultivate short-duration paddy in Aman, then to cultivate short-duration improved varieties of oilseeds without fallow, and then to cultivate boro. The introduction of the new cropping system Aman-Mustard-Boro could increase oilseed production by 2.4 lakh tonnes by 2024-25, which is almost three times the current production. As a result, within three years, 40-50 percent of the demand for edible oil can be produced locally.