Brridhan-81 brings new hope to farmers

The new high yielding variety of paddy, Brridhan-81, is giving hope to farmers as its productivity is much higher than other conventional varieties of paddy in the country. 

This new variety also can replace Brridhan-28 and Brridhan-29, the country's two most popular varieties of paddy, as their productivity has declined in recent years.

The agriculture ministry is now working on spreading this new variety of Brridhan-81 among farmers across the country.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque made these remarks during an event titled 'Harvesting Brridhan-81 and Farmers' Assembly' in Gomastapur Upazila of Chapainawabganj district on Thursday. 

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) jointly hosted the programme.

Abdur Razzaque said, "The productivity of Brridhan-81 is around 31 maunds per bigha which is as high as Brridhan-28 and Brridhan-29, two popular hybrid varieties in Bangladesh." 

"In the country, the productivity of Brridhan-28 and Brridhan-29 is going down due to their long years of cultivation. So, measures have been taken to spread Brridhan-81 among farmers very quickly. Farmers are also  interested in cultivating this paddy," he said.  

"The cultivation of this variety of paddy will significantly help increase rice production, ensuring the country's food security," the minister continued.

Director General of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Shahjahan Kabir, said, "Middle high to highland is suitable for the cultivation of this new variety. Farmers of Naogaon, Rajshahi, Natore, Satkhira, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Jhenaidah can harvest a lot of paddy from this variety. It yields 6.5-7 tons of paddy per hectare of land."