By Subir Sarker from Manikganj
Farmers of Dhalai village in Nabagram Union recently participated in a practical training on rice breeding organized by the Dhalai Farmers’Association with support from BARCIK. The initiative aimed to develop locally adapted Boro rice varieties capable of withstanding changing climatic conditions.
Manikganj farmers frequently face challenges such as drought, excessive rainfall, floods, fog, and extreme temperatures, which affect crop production. To address these challenges, farmers are working to develop rice varieties that require less water, are more drought-tolerant, yield better, and are less vulnerable to pest attacks.
Farmer Nargis Begum said that participants are using breeding techniques to improve local rice varieties and reduce production costs. She emphasized the need for climate-resilient rice suitable for local conditions.
Farmers Shukur Ali and Liton Mia mentioned that Boro rice cultivation in the area is often delayed because mustard is grown beforehand. As a result, rice yields are reduced. They believe that developing locally adapted varieties will increase productivity and benefit farming communities.
BARCIK Regional Coordinator Bimal Roy said that farmer-led breeding can significantly improve local rice varieties and ensure farmers have access to varieties suited to their environment. Program Officer Sattaranjan Saha said that involving experienced farmers in breeding activities encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and the expansion of sustainable agricultural practices.
The training concluded with practical demonstrations and knowledge exchange among experienced farmers, strengthening local capacity to develop improved rice varieties adapted to changing environmental conditions.
