By Gunjon Rema from Kalmakanda, Netrakona
Seeds of ten selected indigenous rice varieties have been distributed among 20 farmers through the Taranagar and Nayapara Community Seed Banks in Kalmakanda, following a farmer-led rice diversity research initiative conducted last year.
The distributed varieties include Malshira, Bulao, Alokmati, Rahman, Jasmine, R-4, G-252, Natishail, Protiksha, and Alfairi. The distribution event was attended by representatives of the community seed banks, local women’s organizations, BARCIK staff, and farmers.
The discussants of the event highlighted the importance of conserving and expanding indigenous rice varieties that are well adapted to local climatic conditions. They said that farmer-led selection of locally suitable varieties helps to conserve agricultural biodiversity, strengthen food security, and improve resilience to climate change.
It is to mention that every year BARCIK facilitates participatory varietals selection on rice and other vegetable and crops to select and search suitable native crops for the certain areas in which farmers evaluate different local varieties based on yield, adaptability, pest resistance, growth characteristics, and grain quality. The selected varieties are then distributed to farmers for wider cultivation, promoting seed conservation, exchange, and food sovereignty.
