Khulna farmers growing Bangabandhu Dhan-100

Farmers in Khulna began experimental cultivation of a freshly invented zinc-rich variety Bangabandhu Dhan-100 as the Department of Agricultural Extension distributed the seeds free of cost.

The DAE distributed seed of the variety among farmers in Batiaghata, Dacope, Dighalia, Dumuria, Paikgachha, Rupsa, Terokhada, Koyra, and Khulna municipality.

The new variety – enriched with high zinc content and high yield potential – got regulatory approval on February 9, 2021, and it was given to farmers for cultivation in the next Boro season, scientists at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur told The Business Post.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the new variety of paddy invented by scientists of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute on October 16, this year, on World Food Day, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The release of the rice variety is expected to come in handy in the fight against zinc deficiency during Covid-19 as zinc is essential to good health and immunocompetence, said Mohadeb Chandra Saha, deputy director of Khulna DAE.

He said the high-zinc-rich rice variety is golden in colour and medium-thin sized. The height of a fully grown plant of Bangabandhu Dhan 100 is 101 centimeters. Its lifespan is 148 days, and the average yield is 7.7 tonnes per hectare. However, with proper care and a favourable environment, it is capable of yielding up to 8.8 tonnes per hectare.

Jahangir Hossain, agricultural officer at Paikgachha, told The Business Post that if they find success in the experimental cultivation, they will encourage the farmers in the region to go for commercial cultivation.

“We are helping the farmers to prepare proper seedbeds for the new variety. We will be looking after the overall process so that farmers get their expected yield,” he added.

Mosaddek Hossain, agricultural officer at Dumuria, said that this rice variety can produce one tonne of higher yield than traditional rice varieties. Unlike most of the previously released zinc rice varieties, this one is finer in quality. Consumers of the country generally prefer fine rice over coarse rice, which can create high demand in the domestic market, he added.

Moreover, BRRI Dhan 100’s yield potential is higher than the previous best zinc rice – BRRI Dhan74, he further said.