Dinajpur Correspondent:
As an exceptional initiative, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRI) has set up a ‘Rice Garden’ or rice demonstration field across the vast crop fields of Dinajpur. This demonstration farm, established in the Kaugaon area of Sadar Upazila, has now become an effective training center for local farmers.
It has been seen on the ground that 54 different varieties of rice developed by BRI have been planted in rows on the same land in the 2025-26 Boro season. As a result, farmers can easily observe the growth, height, ear structure and disease tolerance of different varieties. The main goal of this initiative is to facilitate the selection of suitable rice varieties at the field level.
This activity is being carried out under BRI’s ‘Location-based Rice Variety and Technology Innovation and Existing Laboratory Development’ project. Project Director Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain said, “Rice Garden is a living research field. Farmers are being introduced to advanced and high-yielding rice varieties and modern agricultural technology through such exhibitions in various technology villages of the country.”
He also said that BRI has so far released 61 rice varieties for the Boro season, out of which 54 varieties suitable for the soil and climate of Dinajpur are being exhibited here.
Since this initiative is the first of its kind in Dinajpur, a large number of farmers and visitors are visiting this rice garden in Kaugaon every day. Local farmer Md. Mominul Islam said, “I have never seen so many varieties of rice in one place before. By coming here, I can decide which variety to cultivate in the next season.”
Syed Zahid Hasan, scientific officer of BRI’s regional office in Dinajpur, said that through this exhibition, farmers are getting an idea about modern farming methods as well as rice varieties. He said, after the success of the Boro season, there are plans to set up rice gardens in technology villages during the Aush and Aman seasons as well.
Agriculture-related people believe that such initiatives will play an important role in spreading modern agricultural research at the field level and will be helpful in ensuring food security and increasing rice production in the northern region.
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