The farmers in Gopalganj are happy with much higher production from the cultivation of the newly developed high-yielding rice variety BRRI Dhan-103, invented by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), during this Aman season.
Dr Amina Khatun, head of the Gopalganj Regional Office and chief scientific officer of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, said: “This short-duration rice variety is attacked less by diseases and pests compared to traditional varieties. Farmers can produce 2 to 4 maunds more paddy per bigha than existing varieties. For these reasons, cultivation of this rice variety has been increasing in Gopalganj every year. If the cultivation of this variety can be expanded during the Aman season, the country’s food security will be ensured.”
She further said: “To increase rice production and ensure the country’s food security, we are working with BRRI-developed high-yielding and hybrid rice varieties in Gopalganj, Bagerhat, and Narail. Demonstration plots of BRRI Dhan-103 were set up in the three districts during the current Aman season. We found that the variety yielded 22 maunds per bigha (33 decimals). The yield in Bagerhat and Narail was also satisfactory. BRRI Dhan-103 is contributing significantly to increasing rice production in the Aman season and improving the socioeconomic conditions of farmers.”
Dr Mohammad Shahidullah, principal scientific officer of BRRI’s Gopalganj Regional Office, said that BRRI Dhan-103 possesses all the characteristics of Ufshi rice. The average yield of this variety is 6.2 tons per hectare, and with proper care, it can produce up to 7.98 tons per hectare. The average lifespan of this variety is 130 days (128–133 days). Since 2023, it has been cultivated in Gopalganj, Narail, and Bagerhat. This variety has produced the highest yields in the Aman season. By cultivating this variety, farmers can convert one-crop land into two-crop land, and two-crop land into three-crop land. As cropping intensity increases, farmers are benefiting from the cultivation of this rice variety.
Abdullah Al Momin of BRRI’s Gopalganj Regional Office said that this variety is suitable for rain-fed farming in the transplanted Aman season. BRRI Dhan-103 is cultivated like other Ufshi transplanted Aman varieties. The ideal time for sowing seeds is from June 15 to July 7. Fertilizer rates are similar to other Ufshi varieties. This variety is almost free from major diseases and pests, reducing production costs. “We will encourage farmers to cultivate this variety on a larger scale in the next Aman season. Seed has been grown accordingly,” he added.
Raj Kumar Roy, sub-assistant agriculture officer of Gobra Union in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said: “In 2023, BRRI set up two demonstration plots of BRRI Dhan-103 in my block. Both plots produced bumper yields. Farmers showed growing interest in cultivating this variety. Last year, this variety was cultivated on 10 hectares of land in this union and on 27 hectares of land this year. The variety has already become popular among farmers. If BRRI supplies seeds, we will be able to expand cultivation even more next year. This will increase the country’s food production and benefit farmersfinancially.”
Farmer Md Arju Ali Khandakar of Ghonapara village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila said: “Earlier, I got only 4–5 maunds per bigha from local Aman varieties, and it took 180 days. Later, following advice from the agriculture department, I switched to Ufshi and other varieties and harvested 18–20 maunds per bigha. In 2023, I first cultivated BRRI Dhan-103. This year I got 22 maunds per bigha from BRRI Dhan-103, and it took only 130 days. There were no pest attacks. No irrigation cost. I harvested 2–4 maunds more than other varieties. With lower cost and higher yield, I made a profit. After harvesting this rice, I can grow 3–4 crops a year on the same land.”
